Govt decision on icc shows leaders not scared

Tue, 04 Jul 2017 11:11:36 +0000

BY CHIKUMBI KATEBE

 THE DECISION to remain in the International Criminal Court means Zambian leaders are not scared of being scrutinized, Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection national coordinator Father Leonard Chiti has said.

Father Chiti said he was pleased with the decision made by the Zambian Government which was in response to the submissions made during the public hearings on whether Zambia should continue being part of the ICC.

Earlier in the year, the African Union asked its member nations to leave the ICC on the basis of unfair practice against African leaders that the continent was able to handle its own affairs without going abroad.

“I think it is the right decision that Government has taken on maintaining our membership at the ICC.

“This shows that as a nation, our leaders are not afraid to be scrutinized by ourselves, after we are the same people who report crimes to the ICC,” he said.

He explained that remaining in the ICC would also be a deterrent to public leaders to watch their activities to avoid engaging in criminal acts.

He said despite the issues surrounding the operatives of the ICC, the decision to remain party to the international courts opens up Zambia’s governance system to global standard of leadership.

He said Zambia has now placed itself among highest leadership standards which calls for the country to keep in check at all times.

And Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) governance director Isaac Mwanza has hailed Government’s decision to stand by the people’s position on staying in ICC.

But that Africa’s demand for impartiality from the criminal court must be given due attention to give confidence to members states.

He said while the majority Zambians have accepted to stay in the ICC, the ICC must begin some form of reforms to clear its dented image that the Court was meant to deal with crimes only from African leaders and other developing countries on the bases that they had no capacity to deal with crimes committed by powerful rich individuals involved.

“We believe listening and respecting the views from the Zambian people should not be a matter of choice for leaders in Zambia but a matter of duty and obligation.

“Africa’s demand for impartiality from the criminal court must be given due attention otherwise this dent will continue to haunt the international court,” he said.

ul ceremony. The ceremony was not without incident, which Mr. Bwalya who is said to be a relative to a prominent politician, applied emergency breaks and forced the Toyota Hilux to hit into the GRZ vehicle.

Kasama Central Patriotic Front Mr Kelvin Sampa had taken the  Toyota Hilux twin cab as a present to the chief but a few minutes before it could reach his palace , the accident happened.

But the traditional leader said he was happy with the gift even though it had been damaged and thanked the lawmaker for the gesture.

“I am thankful for this gift and I have received it with both hands even though it has been damaged,” he said.

Mr. Sampa formally reported the matter to the police over the weekend.

The lawmaker said he would not be distracted by disgruntled people as elections were over and electorates had resoundingly voted him and the PF to deliver according to their campaign promises.