Ambassador and Public Relations of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, Michael Imran Kanu, has been elected as Vice-President of the International Crimes Court Assembly of States Parties (ASP) for the 23rd to 25th sessions.

Mr. Kanu’s commitment to international criminal justice and accountability is what has landed him in that position and it is believed that his leadership role strengthened Sierra Leone’s stance in the international arena.

After his election, Michael Imran Kanu wrote on his X handle saying: “Great honour to have been elected as Vice-President of the International Crimes Court Assembly of States Parties (ASP) for the 23rd to 25th sessions. This further consolidates Sierra Leone’s prioritisation of international criminal justice and accountability at the international level.

“I remain grateful to His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for the overall vision and demonstrable leadership; and to Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba for the invaluable support. I congratulate Ambassador Paivi Kaukoranta of Finland on her election as President of the ASP and thank her for her trust to work together with co Vice-President, Ambassador H.E. Margareta Kassangana of Poland.

“In the 25th anniversary year of the adoption of the Rome Statute, the relevance of the only permanent international criminal court cannot be overstated. As the important quest to address accountability gaps continues, delivering on the Court’s mandate for the victims must be central. The ASP’s as the management oversight and legislative body of the ICC is critical in ensuring cooperation and support for the Court in the discharge of its important mandate.

“Earlier in the opening session, I had the honour to introduce the “Report of the Review Mechanism”, on behalf of my co-State-Party Representative Ambassador Paul-vanden Ijssel of the Netherlands and the ad country focal points, Bangladesh, Chile and Poland”.