ICC President Vows Defiance Against U.S. Sanctions, Cites Unwavering Resolve

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Tomoko Akane, the Japanese President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has responded assertively to sanctions imposed by the United States against the international body and herself. Akane stated that even if the ICC itself becomes the target of sanctions, it will not capitulate.

The Japanese President of the ICC further elaborated on the court’s firm stance, asserting, “Our resolve is firm. We must not allow the International Criminal Court, a permanent institution, to collapse. We must not permit this body to be destroyed, and we will stand against such actions with all our might.”

Tomoko Akane added that while weaker nations might exist and potentially succumb to U.S. pressure by deciding to withdraw from the ICC, she urged unity: “Let us stand together so that no country leaves. Let us all remain strong together.”

This declaration comes in the wake of the U.S. Treasury Department announcing sanctions against the ICC President on Tuesday. The sanctions specifically targeted ICC President Tomoko Akane and Senegalese Judge Abdoulaye Yaya Sow.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had indicated a strong opposition to the ICC, stating, “We will dismantle the International Criminal Court using every tool at the government’s disposal and cooperating with any ally we can to achieve a common goal, and if necessary, we will tear it down brick by brick!”

The United States’ dissatisfaction with the ICC dates back to the first term of President Donald Trump’s administration. At that time, the legal institution faced intense criticism for its efforts to investigate war crimes committed by American forces in Afghanistan. During Trump’s second term, a series of sanctions were imposed on ICC officials for their attempts to investigate alleged crimes by the United States and the Israeli regime.