South Africa Presidency withdraws ICC exit

South Africa Presidency and the governing African National Congress have backed down from comments that South Africa will exit International Criminal Court (ICC).

Late last night, the Presidency released a statement clarifying comments the party’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, had made on the country’s position with ICC as well as comments from President Cyril Ramaphosa himself.

Speaking during the state visit of Finnish President Sauli Niinistö on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said he supported the ANC’s decision but hoped a discussion could be held on the unfair treatment the country had experienced at the hands of ICC.

However, in a statement the Presidency released, spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said South Africa would remain a signatory to the Rome Statute and would continue to campaign for equal and consistent application of international law.

Magwenya said South Africa would remain a signatory in line with a resolution taken at the ANC’s national conference in December.