UNAFRI Advances Criminal Justice Cooperation at ICC Regional Seminar in Freetown
Updated: 1 hour ago
Acting Director General Mr. Munanura Andrew Karokora represented UNAFRI at the regional meeting and held bilateral discussions with justice leaders from Tunisia and The Gambia (Freetown Sierra Leone | 22 to 23 October 2026).
The United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders was represented by Acting Director General Mr. Munanura Andrew Karokora at the International Criminal Court High Level Regional Seminar held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 22 and 23 October 2026.
Convened by the International Criminal Court and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone, with financial support from the European Union, the seminar focused on strengthening cooperation and complementarity with the Court as part of the fight against impunity for the gravest crimes under international law.
Regional dialogue on cooperation and complementarity
The seminar brought together representatives of States Parties to the Rome Statute from across Africa and experts from the Court. Participants exchanged perspectives, national experience and good practice on cooperation with the ICC and on the role of national jurisdictions in advancing international criminal justice.
In his remarks, Sierra Leone Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay Esq. addressed the high level meeting. The discussions placed particular emphasis on practical cooperation, stronger institutional relationships and the capacity of national criminal justice systems to respond to serious crimes.
Capacity building discussions with Tunisia
During the seminar, Mr. Munanura met Hon. Abdelaziz Dhibi, Attorney General of Tunisia. Their discussion focused on possible cooperation between Tunisia and UNAFRI in capacity building and professional training.
Hon. Dhibi asked about UNAFRI training activities and expressed interest in closer engagement with the Institute. He also raised the prospect of a future UNAFRI visit to Tunisia as the two sides consider practical areas for collaboration.
Partnership discussion with The Gambia
Mr Munanura also held a bilateral meeting with Hon. Dawda A. Jallow, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Republic of The Gambia. They discussed cooperation and partnership in criminal justice, including opportunities for The Gambia to participate more fully in UNAFRI activities.
Hon. Jallow expressed readiness to take forward The Gambia's membership and participation in the Institute's programmes. The discussion created a basis for continued engagement on shared priorities in criminal justice and institutional capacity development.
UNAFRI contribution to stronger justice institutions
UNAFRI's participation connected the seminar's regional discussions with the Institute's mandate to support crime prevention and criminal justice development in Africa. The bilateral meetings identified concrete openings for training, capacity building and institutional cooperation with national justice authorities.
The Institute will continue its engagement with African governments and regional and international partners to strengthen professional capacity and support effective criminal justice systems across the continent.
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