Publication

This commentary lays out the disagreements between the African Union (AU) and the EU over Article 27 of the Rome Statute and the AU's wish to exempt serving heads of African states from being under the jurisdiction of the ICC. The AU's challenge is apparently twofold. First, it wants the opportunity to be responsible for peace and security on the continent, which means 'being taken seriously' as the first responder to ICC-type violations. Second, it appears that AU member states wish to dissuade the EU and other Western powers from focusing on human rights and the rule of law in their ongoing dialogue with them.