Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe looks on during his inauguration and swearing-in ceremony on August 22, 2013 at the 60,000-seater sports stadium in Harare. Photo credit: AFP PHOTO/ALEXANDER JOE
1. ‘Mugabe Calls for Establishment of African ICC To Try Europeans‘
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, one of the longest-serving presidents in Africa, made headlines in April, after he sensationally called for the establishment of an African International Criminal Court (ICC) to try Europeans who commit serious crimes against humanity.
The veteran politician, who is currently facing both national and international calls to step down, was quoted by the Zimbabwean media as saying that it was time for Africa to establish its own court to seek justice for serious war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the West, especially during the colonial era.
“We forgave them but perhaps we have not done ourselves justice,” Mugabe said.
Mugabe’s outburst was triggered by the notion that the ICC in the Hague, Netherlands, has been unfairly targeting Africans while turning a blind eye to serious crimes against humanity being committed by the West in different parts of the world, including Middle East.
In November, we saw several African countries, including South Africa and Burundi, pull out of the ICC albeit amid human rights violations in their respective nations.
