Ex-US top diplomat for Africa Jendayi Fraser lambasts ICC
Saturday, 30 June 2012 13:56 by RNA Reporter
Kigali: The former US under secretary for African Affairs told a high level
audience in Kigali Saturday that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a
"highly politicized institution" - in comments that caused mummers among
western diplomats.
The office of the prosecutor is politicized, said Dr Jendayi Fraser, who was
addressing a major conference in Kigali, as part of Rwanda's 50th
anniversary of independence. Dr Fraser was responding to a question directed
at her to comment on the role of international bodies that are shaping
events on the continent.
Dr Fraser said the ICC "interferes" in African affairs because Africans were
unable to establish institutions that will provide justice and hold high
level criminals accountable.
Build the structures necessary to do what the ICC is doing, said Fraser.
As the ex-US top diplomat for African affairs spoke, there were noticeable
mummers coming from the section of the conference hall where western
diplomats were seated.
Dr Fraser is one of the grand speakers at the independence conference
themed: "Governance and Democracy: an African Perspective". Several other
speaks have been lined up for the event, as Rwanda marks 50 years after
independence in July 01.
The independence festivities have been merged with Liberation Day, which is
marked on July 04. It is the day when Kigali fell to the then RPF rebels in
1994. Rwandans are expecting a big party on that day.
Other speakers will at today's conference include Prof. Margee Ensign -
President of American University of Nigeria; former US Assistant Secretary
of State for Africa Affairs; and Kenya's trade minister, Moses Wetangula,
among others.
