Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim receives ICC Chief Prosecutor, 10 november 2009 

Pretoria: International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim, today Wednesday 10 November 2009, received the International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor, Mr Luis Moreno-Ocampo, who paid a courtesy call on Deputy Minister in Cape Town.

The interaction between Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim and the ICC Chief Prosecutor presented an opportunity for Deputy Minister to be apprised about the work of the ICC, including issues under its investigations, especially those relating to different situations in Africa. The meeting also touched on the upcoming Review Conference of the Rome Statute in 2010, and the Prosecutor expressed his hope that Africa will play a key role during this process. In this regard, Deputy Minister confirmed that preparations for Africa’s participation at this Review are already underway.

Furthermore, the meeting also provided an opportunity for the ICC Prosecutor to be informed about South Africa’s international relations work, especially in situations of conflicts in the African continent. Accordingly, Deputy Minister Ebrahim stated that South Africa’s approach is informed by a need to contribute to peace building as well post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Africa.

The Deputy Minister re-iterated the Government’s commitment to honour its international obligations including those relating to South Africa as a State Party to the Rome Statutes of the ICC. The ICC Prosecutor expressed his appreciation of South Africa’s commitment to a human rights culture and its strong international relations work, as well as his commitment to engage with the African State Parties to the Rome Statutes, including South Africa, for the sake of peace and stability on the continent.

For more information contact Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Saul Kgomotso Molobi on 082 940 1647.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag X152
Pretoria, 0001

10 November 2009