Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda, joined the Second Vice-President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou and The Gambia’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dawda A. Jallow, at a high-level regional seminar held at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel in Freetown on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
The two-day seminar, which concluded on Friday, 23 October, was jointly organized by the ICC and the Government of Sierra Leone, with financial support from the European Union. It brought together senior judicial officials, Government representatives, legal practitioners and international justice experts to examine the relationship between the ICC and national courts in addressing serious international crimes.
Held under the theme, “Strengthening Cooperation and Complementarity with the International Criminal Court: A Partnership in Fighting Impunity for the Gravest Crimes under International Law,” the event focused on strengthening domestic judicial institutions, improving accountability and protecting the rights of victims.
Delivering her opening remarks, ICC Second Vice-President Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou emphasized that the responsibility for combating impunity extends beyond the International Criminal Court.
She highlighted the important roles of Governments, national courts, prosecutors, regional organisations and civil society in ensuring that perpetrators of serious international crimes face justice.
Judge Alapini-Gansou further underscored the significance of the Freetown engagement in advancing the objectives of the Rome Statute and strengthening national judicial systems across Africa.
Sierra Leone’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, Esq., reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the ICC and the principles underpinning international criminal justice.
He stressed that national courts must be strengthened to effectively investigate and prosecute serious crimes, thereby reducing reliance on international judicial intervention.
The Attorney-General also highlighted the ICC’s continued work in investigating crimes, conducting trials, delivering judgments and advancing reparations for victims, describing those efforts as essential to the pursuit of lasting peace.
The Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone, Emilio Rossetti, reaffirmed the EU’s support for the independence and impartiality of the ICC.
He emphasized the importance of the Rome Statute system and the need for stronger domestic legal frameworks to address genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other offences within the Court’s jurisdiction.
A major focus of the seminar was the protection and rehabilitation of victims of international crimes.
Speaking in his capacity as a Member of the Board of Directors of the ICC Trust Fund for Victims, Ibrahim Sorie Yillah, Esq., emphasized that justice must extend beyond criminal convictions to include meaningful reparations.
He explained that while judicial decisions establish responsibility for crimes, reparations help victims rebuild their lives, restore dignity and recover from the consequences of atrocities.
Ibrahim Sorie Yillah called for stronger national mechanisms, adequate financial resources and sustained political commitment to ensure that victims receive effective remedies.
The seminar also attracted ICC Judge Miatta Maria Samba, the first Sierra Leonean woman appointed to the International Criminal Court, alongside Justices of Sierra Leone’s Superior Court of Judicature and other distinguished legal personalities.
Representatives from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Tunisia participated in discussions on the practical challenges facing international criminal justice.
The gathering held particular significance for Sierra Leone, given the country’s experience with the Special Court for Sierra Leone, which was established to prosecute those bearing the greatest responsibility for serious crimes committed during the country’s civil conflict.
The seminar concluded with renewed emphasis on strengthening national judicial capacity, safeguarding the independence of international courts and ensuring that victims remain central to efforts to combat impunity.
