US sanctions ICC, threatens to dismantle court as tribunal vows to continue mandate
The United States has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid escalating tensions between Washington and the Hague-based tribunal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on Friday, accusing the ICC of seeking to expand its authority over American citizens, military personnel, and political leaders.
The sanctions, which aim to block transactions with the court, are seen as a response to the ICC's perceived threat to American sovereignty. The ICC, however, strongly rejected the sanctions, describing them as an assault on the rule of law and an attempt to obstruct justice. The court urged member states to defend its operations and stressed that it would continue to carry out its mandate, independent and impartial, despite the sanctions.
The dispute between the US and the ICC highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the tribunal's jurisdiction and the US's refusal to be a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.
Brief written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
