Following the outrageous indictment of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin by the International Criminal Court (ICC), South Africa has decided to withdraw from the institution. “The ruling party has decided that it is prudent for South Africa to withdraw from the ICC,” South African President Ramaphosa said—incidentally while at a press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. South Africa is hosting the BRICS summit in August of this year, and has been under pressure to arrest Russian President Putin if he decides to attend. Whether or not they will make the arrest is “under consideration” Ramaphosa said, though this decision clearly makes it quite unlikely.
Ramaphosa cited concerns over political prejudice by the ICC: “We would like to see this issue of unfair treatment properly discussed, but in the meantime, the ruling party has decided once again that we should withdraw,” Ramaphosa said. South Africa had withdrawn from the ICC once before.
However, the head of Africa’s ruling ANC was more direct: “Putin can come to this country at any time,” ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said at a press conference. “The ICC does not serve the interests of all, but those of a few,” he added.
