On 27 November 2025, the President of the International Criminal Court ("the Court"), Judge Tomoko Akane, together with the Second Vice-President, Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou, conducted an official visit to Senegal to further deepen relations and enhance cooperation between the Court and Senegalese authorities.
During their visit, the President and the Second Vice-President met with the President of Senegal, H.E. Mr Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, whom they thanked for Senegal's long-standing and principled position in support of international law and international criminal justice. H.E. Mr Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye underlined that Senegal, as the first State Party to the Rome Statute, is committed to promote the Rome Statute system and reaffirmed the support of Senegal to the work of the Court. The discussion focused on the importance of maintaining strong cooperation between the Court and Senegal, upholding the rule of law, and safeguarding judicial independence in the face of external pressure.
The President and the Second Vice-President also held meetings with the Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, H.E. Mr Cheikh Niang, and with the Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, H.E. Ms Yassine Fall. They discussed concrete ways to enhance cooperation between the Court and Senegal, including through possible cooperation agreements, and exchanged on possible ways to enhance the Rome Statute system in Western Africa. The President further underlined the importance of geographical representation within the staff of the Court.
This visit was financially supported by the European Commission.
