We will stay, If US join ICC- Namibia’s President

On Thursday, Namibia’ President said that his country would only remain as a member of International Criminal Court (ICC) if the United States joined, Namibia’s president Hage Geingob.

Namibia, which said in March that it would withdraw from the ICC, which sits in The Hague and has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The court has come under criticism from African nations.

Geingob, who was elected as the President of Namibia in November 2014 stated that “People are saying that it only targets African leaders. That seems to be true … and that’s a problem.”

While the Namibian parliament still needs to debate the nation’s withdrawal, Geingob said his feeling was it would go ahead.

He added that “If you convince the United States to come, we will stay,” he said.

The United States is not currently a participant in the ICC as it has not signed or ratified the Rome Statute, a treaty which serves as the ICC’s governing document.

“Africa needs to develop its own processes, systems, courts and institutions,” Geingob added. “It would help us to be self sufficient. We must build lasting institutions … not something imposed from foreign countries.”

Turning to the economy, Geingob said he expects growth of 2 to 3 percent in Namibia in 2017, up from around 2.5 percent in 2016, and below the average longer term trend of 4-5 percent.

“But we need about 7 percent growth, which we are failing to do. That’s why are encouraging people to come in to invest, to manufacture in Namibia, transfer technology, and that way we can create jobs.”