Pan African Business Forum Rallies Behind ICC Prosecutor, Warns Against Politicising Judicial Findings

   

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan

The Pan African Business Forum (PABF) has thrown its full weight behind International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor, Karim A. A. Khan, urging global stakeholders to respect the outcome of an independent judicial review that cleared him of any wrongdoing.

In a strongly worded statement addressed to the President of the Assembly of States Parties, Ambassador Paivi Kaukoranta, the Forum expressed “firm and unequivocal support” for the Prosecutor in the wake of recent media reports and internal developments within the ICC.

The statement, signed by Dr. Ladislas Prosper Agbesi on behalf of the Forum’s Executive Committee, highlighted what it described as troubling attempts to cast doubt on the findings of a duly mandated judicial panel. According to PABF, the panel—comprising three distinguished international judges—conducted a thorough and impartial review of the evidentiary record and reached a unanimous conclusion that no misconduct or breach of duty had occurred.

The Forum cautioned that any effort to reinterpret, dilute, or override these findings on political grounds would undermine the integrity of established judicial processes. It stressed that respect for due process and institutional independence is essential not only for justice, but also for maintaining global confidence in multilateral systems.

Beyond the legal dimension, PABF underscored the economic implications of the issue, particularly for Africa. The group noted that the credibility of international institutions such as the ICC has a direct bearing on investor sentiment, capital flows, and the broader business environment across the continent.

As an institution committed to advancing Africa’s economic sovereignty and governance standards, we view the integrity of international legal systems as inseparable from Africa’s development and global standing,” the statement said.

The Forum argued that predictability, fairness, and adherence to legal principles are critical for fostering long-term investment and sustainable growth. It warned that any perception of political interference in international justice could erode confidence among investors and weaken Africa’s position in global markets.

PABF also praised Prosecutor Khan’s leadership, noting that under his tenure, the ICC has taken steps toward a more balanced and globally representative approach to justice. The Forum said this shift has helped address longstanding concerns about the Court’s perceived disproportionate focus on Africa and African leaders.

The statement further pointed out that African voices have largely supported the judicial panel’s conclusions and have called for the matter to be conclusively resolved. According to PABF, this reflects a principled stance rooted in evidence, fairness, and respect for due process.

However, the Forum expressed “deep concern” over what it described as attempts to prolong the issue through political maneuvering and media narratives. It warned that such actions risk damaging not only the credibility of the Prosecutor but also that of the ICC as a whole.

We are not naive observers,” the statement noted. “We recognize what appears to be a coordinated effort to politicize this matter and to leverage media channels to target and weaken the Prosecutor. This must cease.”

PABF further criticised what it termed the “instrumentalization” of staff concerns and the conflation of unrelated issues in an attempt to sustain allegations against the Prosecutor. It described such actions as corrosive to institutional integrity and detrimental to genuine accountability processes.

The Forum therefore called for the immediate closure of the matter, insisting that the judicial panel’s findings are “clear, authoritative, and final” and must be accepted without qualification or delay.

It also urged that Prosecutor Khan be allowed to resume his duties without obstruction, stressing that the effective functioning of the Office of the Prosecutor is critical to the ICC’s mandate and global credibility.

Reinforcing Africa’s growing influence in global affairs, PABF emphasised that the continent is no longer a passive participant in the international system but a key economic actor whose engagement depends on fairness, transparency, and mutual respect.

The strength of that engagement,” the statement concluded, “rests on confidence that international systems operate impartially, transparently, and without political interference.”

The Forum has requested that its statement be circulated to all members of the ICC Bureau, signaling its intent to ensure that Africa’s voice is heard in the ongoing discourse surrounding the Court’s leadership and institutional integrity.