Overview
- The United States announced targeted sanctions on Tomoko Akane and Abdoulaye Seyé on Tuesday, August 18, imposing asset freezes, bans on entry to the U.S., and limits on services from American companies.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the steps respond to ICC investigations he called politically driven and warned the court was seeking power over citizens of countries that have not joined the Rome Statute.
- The International Criminal Court condemned the sanctions as a blatant attack on its independence and said the measures now affect multiple judges and senior prosecutors and risk harming victims’ access to justice.
- European institutions, Japan and Spain publicly criticized Washington’s decision and the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute issued a statement on August 20 expressing deep regret and support for the court.
- The move builds on earlier U.S. actions dating back to 2020 and could further strain cooperation between the Court and states that do not ratify the Rome Statute, with possible effects on ICC operations, staff mobility and evidence-gathering in ongoing probes.