Horizontal and vertical international co-operation in criminal matters: An African regional and sub-regional perspective

Kemp, Gerhard

Abstract

This chapter deals with the topic of mutual legal assistance as a means to combat international crime (including the core atrocity crimes) in Africa. It can be argued that effective mutual legal assistance modalities are imperatives of true Pan- Africanism. Caveats will be noted and explored: For instance, for Pan-Africanism to be a useful and effective driver of the international criminal justice project on the Continent, it should neither be promoted as an amorphous expression of African solidarity, devoid of critical reflection and normative aspiration, nor as a cynical shield for elite interests or as a bulwark against democratic aspirations. Mutual legal assistance will thus be explored as a modality of horizontal Pan-Africanism fit for purpose and with normative content.

• Online Publication Date: Mar 29, 2023
• Publication Date: Mar 29, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jun 13, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 30, 2025
• Publisher: Springer
• Pages: 177-211
• Book Title: Contemporary International Criminal Law Issues: Contributions in Pursuit of Accountability for Africa and the World
• Chapter Number: 6
• ISBN: 9789462655546
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6265-555-3
• Keywords: international criminal justice; mutual legal assistance; Africa; Mutual legal assistance; Pan-Africanism; international crime; transnational crime; extradition; international co-operation in criminal matters
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10861869
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-6265-555-3_6