AU summit to discuss relationship with ICC: Kenya

The African Union Heads of State summit to be held in Ethiopian capital will discuss the continent's relationship with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other geopolitical issues, Kenyan government has said.

Speaking to journalists about the Saturday' summit, Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed said that Heads of State from the 54-member African Union will converge at the Addis Ababa Saturday to chart a new vision for the continent in the light of evolving dynamics in the global arena, Xinhua reported.

"The AU Heads of State Summit on Saturday will discuss Africa's relationship with the International Criminal Court. Replacement of the commissioner for political affairs will also be on the cards," Mohamed said.

She said the heads of state and government would deliberate on issues that could shape the continents' future.

On the recent call by AU member states to review their relationship with the ICC, Mohamed assured the international community that the move does not mean Africa endorses immunity.

"All the AU member states signed the Rome Statute voluntarily. It is wrong to insinuate that African countries will withdraw from ICC en masse," Mohamed told journalists, adding that the African Union is the largest constituent member of the ICC.

Kenya has engaged in shuttle diplomacy with AU member states to push for a deferral of cases involving the president and his deputy at The Hague-based ICC.

She said that deferral of the cases involving the president and his deputy remains on the cards.