African Regional Developments – Challenge or Chance for the International Criminal Court? Three Courts in One: The African Criminal Court

Abstract

The Malabo Protocol expands the jurisdiction of the proposed African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples’ Rights by adding a criminal division to the planned general affairs and human rights sections. Consequently, the Court will have three sections, namely the General Affairs Section, the Human and Peoples’ Rights Section and the International Criminal Law Section. It remains to be seen whether such a unique amalgamation of three courts into one continental court is going to be an effective approach in dealing with the three general matters under the subject matter jurisdiction.