Ruto Signs Laws Protecting Govt Officials From Prosecution
President William Ruto has taken a bold move by signing a protocol of the African Union relating to the Pan-African Parliament, which paves the way for the ratification of the Malabo Protocol.
This continental law protects Heads of State and other senior government officials from prosecution for heinous international crimes while they are still serving their terms. The Malabo Protocol contains an immunity clause that prevents the investigation of Heads of State and senior state officials who commit crimes under international law.
"The signing of the Malabo Protocol fulfils a commitment made by William Samoei Ruto to members of the Pan-African Parliament during his keynote address at the 3rd Pan-African Parliament’s Summit on Climate Policy and Equity, held in May this year at the Parliament’s Headquarters in Midrand, South Africa," reads the statement in part.
Ruto had earlier promised to ratify the Malabo Protocol by September 2023 and his signing of the protocol to the constitutive act of the African Union marks the first step in the ratification journey which includes signing, ratifying, and depositing instruments at the African Union Commission for the protocols to apply. Kenya became the 23rd state to sign the protocol, and if it ratifies it by September, it will be the 16th country to do so.
"I want to undertake that before September, we will have concluded that exercise. Take it from me because we are believers in this continent and Kenya is a champion of consolidating our issues around the African Union. Otherwise, African solutions, Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the young, green, clean continent of the future will remain a mere pipe dream," Ruto said.
The Malabo protocol was approved during the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government Summit in Equatorial Guinea in June 2014. Its primary objective was to give the Pan-African Parliament greater authority as a legislative body of the Union, particularly in terms of jurisdiction over international legal matters.
Comments (12)
Some countries such as the US have functional immunity but I do not believe it is a good idea for African leaders because when our leaders commit unethical or criminal acts, they do so with reckless abandon. Hawana huruma.
Nobody is above the law in the USA.
Moi aka Samoei back with vengeance!
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi once said:
“There are unjust laws as there are unjust men.”
UDA selfish and corrupt laws are part of unjust laws made by unjust men.
Assasinations of govt officials will increase.
Kalejinga Ruto is a complete kalejinga.
Sperms kwa kichwa simajaa enda nyonga kwa toilet
Amefufuka tena: Jina lake ni Samoei Arap Moi
https://youtu.be/oEervqB3x84
Tell me this is not true
It is very true. Moi era is back!!
This sounds like unbridled immunity.Why should criminal charges wait till the offending african leader leaves office? suppose he changes the law and becomes a for-life president?
I say dont wait.Acrime is a crime,especially that against humanity. Why should we delay"justice".
If this law is passed, it will be aboon to the criminal minded african leaders.All they have to do is craft "protection' bills that would frustrate the judicial systems.Thus creating escape routes.
I know their reaction is aresponse to the misconception that ICC and Mzungu unjustly skewd against africans.Well, they just should not commit crimes.It's that simple.It is shameful to point fingers,and say,"hey so and so did it too".Think of the victims first not the international community.
After 24 years Moi left so will you Ruto. Kenya is not your property.
Dear mwakilishi.com admin, Thanks for the well-structured and well-presented post!