Archive · 21 Aug 2026
ICC Chief Warns of International Rule of Law Demise
The United States placed sanctions on two people connected to the International Criminal Court.
One of them is ICC President Tomoko Akane.
The other is trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal.
The sanctions stop them from entering the United States or using its financial system.
Akane said she expected the action but was worried about its wider effect.
She warned that international rule of law could be weakened.
The ICC called the sanctions an attack on its independence.
The United States says the court is corrupt and too political.
Washington's actions have been linked to ICC investigations involving Israel.
ICC President Tomoko Akane warned that US sanctions could begin the demise of international rule of law.
The United States sanctioned Akane and ICC trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye on Tuesday.
The sanctions bar both officials from entering the United States and using its financial system.
Washington described the ICC as corrupt and fatally politicised.
The ICC said the measures were a flagrant attack on its independence, amid investigations involving Israel.
- Who
- ICC President Tomoko Akane and trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye were sanctioned by the United States.
- What
- The United States imposed sanctions, prompting Akane to warn about the international rule of law.
- When
- The sanctions were imposed on Tuesday; Akane issued her statement on Friday.
- Where
- Akane's statement was released in Tokyo through a publisher's post on X; the sanctions affect access to the United States and its financial system.
- Why
- The Trump administration said the ICC is corrupt and fatally politicised; the measures were also seen as linked to investigations involving Israel.
International Criminal Court
United States Government
Effect on international law
International Criminal Court
Tomoko Akane warned that the sanctions could mark the beginning of the demise of international rule of law.
United States Government
The United States has targeted the ICC as a corrupt and fatally politicised body.
Court independence
International Criminal Court
The ICC called the sanctions a flagrant attack on its independence.
United States Government
The Trump administration imposed the measures as part of its campaign against the court.
Investigations involving Israel
International Criminal Court
The ICC has pursued investigations involving Israel.
United States Government
The US action was seen as largely responding to those investigations involving its ally Israel.
- Sanctioned officials
- Tomoko Akane and Abdoulaye Seye
- Sanctioning country
- United States
- Restrictions
- Entry into the United States and transactions in the US financial system are barred.
- Akane's warning
- She said the sanctions must not begin the demise of international rule of law.
- ICC response
- The court called the measures a flagrant attack on its independence.
- Related investigations
- The sanctions followed ICC investigations involving Israel, a US ally.