THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AND ITS MAJOR ACTORS: AN ANALYSIS OF THEIR ROLE TOWARDS ATTAINING CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Abstract

The International Criminal Court is charged with an enormous task of ending global impunity through tryingperpetrators of most serious crimes. Over the past two decades the Court has encountered several challenges thathave hindered its mandate of administering international criminal justice. Most times the criticisms directed at theCourt are as a result of its reliance on certain institutional actors. This research analysed the role of the Court’smajor actors in aiding the Court towards attaining its criminal justice mandate. It was found that States have notfared well in giving the Court the needed support, particularly in terms of cooperation. More so, the Court’s allegedexclusive focus on the African region also affects its justice mandate. Additionally, the investigations of the Office ofThe Prosecutor (OTP) have been found to be marred in politics and discriminatory practices. The activities of theUnited Nations Security Council (UNSC) have been discovered to affect the ICC’s legitimacy to a great extent. Themethodology adopted is doctrinal with the ‘Law in Context’ approach; research materials were sourced frominternational instruments, Statute, case laws, books, journal articles and online materials.