US attacks on ICC come from ‘misunderstanding’, says prosecutor

International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang has stated that US administration attacks on the international court are due to Washington's misunderstanding of its activities, according to an exclusive interview with AFP. Niang, one of several ICC officials under US sanctions, said the sanctions make it virtually impossible to access payment systems or perform simple tasks like booking flights or hotels.

The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has vowed to dismantle the ICC, describing it as an "intolerable threat to US sovereignty." However, Niang retorted that such communications from Rubio seem to stem from a misunderstanding, emphasizing that the ICC is not the world's police and respects state sovereignty. While the US is not an ICC member, Niang noted that some ICC member states with close ties to the US continue to engage with US officials.

The prosecutor also rejected US accusations that the court is corrupt and stressed the importance of maintaining the ICC's independence and ability to continue its work despite potential negative impacts from future sanctions. Niang is currently preparing to prosecute the court's biggest case, involving former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes committed during his "war on drugs."

Despite facing numerous challenges, including US sanctions, the dismissal of his predecessor over sexual abuse allegations, and the ICC's status as a potential target, Niang remains optimistic about the institution's future and the importance of international justice.