The US has revoked the entry visa for the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda.

The decision is thought to be the US response to Ms Bensouda's investigation into possible war crimes by American forces and their allies in Afghanistan.

The US secretary of state had warned the US might refuse or revoke visas to any ICC staff involved in such probes.

Ms Bensouda's office said the ICC prosecutor would continue to her duties "without fear or favour".

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: "If you're responsible for the proposed ICC investigation of US personnel in connection with the situation in Afghanistan, you should not assume that you will still have or get a visa, or that you will be permitted to enter the United States.

"We're prepared to take additional steps, including economic sanctions if the ICC does not change its course," he added.


Fatou Bensouda became the ICC prosecutor in 2012
A 2016 report from the ICC said there was a reasonable basis to believe the US military had committed torture at secret detention sites in Afghanistan operated by the CIA, and that the Afghan government and the Taliban had committed war crimes.

The US, which has been critical of the ICC since it was established, is among dozens of nations not to have joined the court.

What is the ICC?
The court investigates and brings to justice people responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, intervening when national authorities cannot or will not prosecute.

The ICC was established by a UN treaty in 2002, and has been ratified by 123 countries, including the UK.

However several countries, including China, India, and Russia, have refused to join.

Some African countries have called for withdrawal from the court over perceived unfair treatment of Africans.

Www.bbc.com/africa

ICC can only flex muscles on African countries

Who is he to challenge the USA? Like a son challenging his father that feed him and bail him from prison and still pay his school fee. All these organisations are nothing without the USA.

Very good development. War crime in the land of Islamic terrorists?

But is what she is saying not correct?

kaorama:
Very good development. War crime in the land of Islamic terrorists?

We are waiting to see the EU ( European Union , France, UK, the International Monetary Fund , etc) and some African countries such as Botswana threaten the U.S.
They would flex their muscle had this been an African country that revoked Bensouda's visa.

beamtopola:
Who is he to challenge the USA? Like a son challenging his father that feed him and bail him from prison and still pay his school fee. All these organisations are nothing without the USA.

wrong!! The ICC is one organization the US doesn't even send..... They rarely even look that side unless they start poke nosing in US business like now or they are disturbing their allies....

sorepco:
But is what she is saying not correct?

every country has a certain camp they perpetuate crimes, she is correct but if the crime were against terrorists i dont see why she should even be concerned....

Imagine ICC coming to probe Nigerian army for tje way we treat boko haram terrorists.... Pftt...

beamtopola:
Who is he to challenge the USA? Like a son challenging his father that feed him and bail him from prison and still pay his school fee. All these organisations are nothing without the USA.

lol "all these"?? Which and which?? Because i can name some organizations that Americans cant do without..