ICC's Renewed Focus on Sierra Leone: Implications for National Sovereignty and International Justice
On September 26th, 2024, International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan handed a significant document to Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio during their meeting in New York. This marked the third consecutive engagement between the ICC Prosecutor and the President, fueling speculation and raising important legal and diplomatic questions regarding the Court’s sustained interest in Sierra Leone and its leader. This unusual frequency of interactions prompts crucial inquiries about the ICC's interest in Sierra Leone. The country has not been involved in any major international conflict in recent years, making this renewed focus from the ICC both perplexing and noteworthy. The timing of these meetings, particularly given the peaceful post-civil war status of Sierra Leone, draws attention to the potential reasons behind such heightened attention. Historically, Sierra Leone’s relationship with international justice mechanisms has been significant, especially with the estab...