South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the ruling African National Congress party is considering withdrawing the state from the International Criminal Court, a move he described as a response to what he viewed as bias within the ICC in certain cases. The statement, reported by TASS, signals the party’s intent to reassess South Africa’s engagement with the court in light of perceived partiality and selective enforcement. Ramaphosa explained that the ANC’s decision to disengage would be grounded in concerns about how the ICC handles certain disputes, and he emphasized that this stance reflects the party’s demand for a more even-handed approach to international justice.
According to TASS, any practical step toward withdrawing would require parliamentary approval, given the constitutional framework and the need for broad political consensus. The agency noted that the ANC retains a parliamentary majority, which positions it to influence key decisions on foreign policy and international law. The potential move comes as part of wider debates about South Africa’s role on the world stage and how the country balances its commitments to international institutions with its domestic and regional interests.
Earlier reporting suggested the South African government was seeking legal guidance and weighing all available options ahead of the BRICS summit, including how to respond to outstanding ICC matters. At the time, the ICC had issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a development that has sparked international debate and complicated stances within BRICS and other global forums. South Africa’s considerations in this area reflect a broader conversation about the court’s reach, its influence on diplomacy, and the implications for regional alignment with major power blocs. These developments are being monitored by observers and analysts, who note that any decision by Pretoria could reverberate across regional security arrangements and South Africa’s relationships with both Western allies and emerging economies.