Afrique Média Marks Burundi’s ICC Exit Anniversary with Call for African-Led Justice Systems

Esther Oluku

Afrique Média, a pan-African media organisation, on Monday hosted a high-level event to commemorate the eighth anniversary of Burundi’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The event, held in Bujumbura, Burundi, brought together African leaders, diplomats, lawyers, and human rights officials to discuss the future of justice on the continent and the importance of national sovereignty.

Burundi, which completed its withdrawal from the ICC on 27 October 2017, reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, transparency, and sustainable development “within the legitimacy of its political system and the African continent as a whole.”

A key theme of the discussions was the call for African-led alternatives to international tribunals. Participants highlighted the need for African nations to create their own mechanisms for addressing domestic issues independently, while stressing the importance of each country taking responsibility for its internal affairs. They also called for the establishment of collective frameworks to ensure fair and sovereign justice across the continent.

Speakers unanimously emphasised the need to strengthen national judicial systems as a foundation for promoting social cohesion.

Some of the key resolutions reached included reinforcing the legitimacy and sovereignty of African states, creating mechanisms for independent conflict resolution, and implementing sovereign policies that foster unity and social harmony.