ICC Registrar Peter Lewis meets with Ugandan Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu ©ICC-CPI
From 3 to 7 February 2020, the Registrar of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”) Peter Lewis visited Kampala, Uganda and Bunia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). During these visits he met with Government officials and United Nations representatives and had direct interactions with ICC staff members working in these countries. This was the Registrar’s first visit to those countries since his election in March 2018.
In Kampala, Uganda, the Registrar met with the Ugandan Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu as well as the United Nations resident coordinator Rosa Malango. In Bunia, DRC, the Registrar held a courtesy meeting with Cecilia Piazza, Head of Office of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Ituri Province, DRC (MONUSCO). The Registrar of the Court thanked these interlocutors for their support for the ICC’s independent mandate and ongoing operations in these two countries.
“The Court is thankful for the excellent support received over the years in both situation countries,” said ICC Registrar Peter Lewis at the end of his visit. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration in effectively fulfilling the Court’s mandate.”
Cooperation and support is essential for the Court to deliver on its independent mandate under the Rome Statute. The ICC relies on the cooperation of States and International Organisations for its activities and for the benefit of the affected communities looking for justice and accountability to be done.
During his meetings with ICC staff members in Uganda and the DRC, the Registrar thanked his teams for their constant and valuable efforts. Discussions focused on operational issues and the continuous improvement of the Court’s working methods.
The ICC has 7 Country Offices in situations where it is conducting investigations, including in Kinshasa and Bunia (DRC) and Kampala (Uganda). ICC Country Offices are essential to develop and maintain cooperative relationships with key stakeholders in situation countries and to support the Court’s mandate and resulting activities in these countries.
