African leaders call for mass withdrawal from ICC

Addis Ababa - African leaders have adopted a strategy calling for a collective withdrawal from the International Criminal Court. The non-binding decision came behind closed doors Tuesday near the end of an African Union summit.

According to News24.com., it is the latest expression of impatience by African leaders with the court, which some say has focused too narrowly on African issues.

Desire Assogbavi, head of Oxfam International's AU liaison office, confirmed the adoption.

A source close to the continental body's legal council also confirmed it, saying countries had been divided on whether to call for leaving the court individually or together. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press.

Elise Keppler with Human Rights Watch says the strategy has no timeline and "few concrete recommendations for action".