Focus on Africa

Former Chadian President Habre Hissène to face trial in Senegal

Focus on Africa

Côte d’Ivoire: the ICC has jurisdiction to try the former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo

The International Criminal Court decided on Wednesday 15th August that it had jurisdiction to try Côte d’Ivoire’s former President Laurent Gbagbo for war crimes and crimes against humanity.It stated that “For this chamber, the court has jurisdiction over the alleged crimes ... including those committed since 28 November 2010 on the basis of the declaration of April 18, 2003".

Focus on Africa

President Mugabe’s party to reject part of the draft Constitution

President Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party rejects part of the new draft constitution produced by a parliamentary committee.The party has met thrice in the last two weeks to review the draft that took nearly three years to complete because of squabbles within the inclusive government under Mugabe since 2009.

Focus on Africa

A new constitution for Zimbabwe in sight

The main political parties in Zimbabwe have finished writing the draft constitution, an important step towards the next general election.The finance Minister Tendai Biti told parliament last Wednesday that after years of intense process the draft constitution was now available. He underscored that that this was an essential document which is based on a process of solid modern jurisprudence.

KAS African Law Study Library / KAS Librairie Africaine D’Etudes Juridiques, Volume 11

This is the 11th volume in the series and it comprises of seven articles from the Faculty of Law of the University of Kinshasa, DRC. It addresses inter alia, the case of armed activities on the territory of DRC by Uganda, UN Mission in DRC, the relationship between DRC and the Bretton Woods Institutions as well as China, OHADA Laws and economic situation in the DRC.

Focus on Africa

Threat of war breaking out in the DRC

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has threatened to release General Laurent Nkunda. This release is of concern to the region’s leaders since it implies the risk of an explosion of unrest in the DRC that could spillover across the region.

Focus on Africa

DRC: 30 years in prison demanded for Thomas Lubanga, the first person to be found guilty by the ICC for war crimes

On Wednesday, the International Criminal Court prosecutor asked for 30 years in prison for Thomas Lubanga, former commander of the Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (FPLC) for war crimes. The trial of the former militia leader was the first for the ICC. It started in January 2009 and was completed in August 26, 2011. Thomas Lubanga pleaded not guilty.

Focus on Africa

Sudan: ICC prosecutor seeks UN help to arrest Omar al-Bashir

The ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, has requested the UN to assist in the arrest of the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. He suggested that the Security Council makes the arrest warrants more stringent, even for States which have not signed the Rome Treaty. However, his demands are unlikely to be answered.

Focus on Africa

Kenyan suspects’ bid for oral submission fails before the ICC

The International Criminal Court Appeals Chamber has rejected a bid put forward by Kenya’s Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and former head of Public Service Commission Service Francis Muthaura for an oral hearing.

KAS African Law Study Library / KAS Librairie Africaine D’Etudes Juridiques, Volume 10

This is the 10th volume in the series and it comprises of four articles from the Faculty of Law of the University of Abomey Calavi Benin. It addresses inter alia, OHADA Laws, independence of the judiciary and judicial reform, domestication and implementation of conventions on the right of the child and the right to defense before the court of assize in Benin.