︳LATEST ACTIVITIES
Hearing before the African Union Ministerial Committee , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 27 July 2026
On 27 July Professor Ezéchiel Amani Cirimwami appeared before the African Union Ministerial Committee on Candidatures within the International System at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
The hearing formed part of the African Union process for the consideration of international candidatures. During the hearing, Professor Cirimwami presented his qualifications, judicial and academic experience, and vision. The exchange also provided an opportunity to discuss the evolving challenges facing international criminal justice and the important contribution that African jurists continue to make to strengthening its independence, effectiveness, legitimacy and credibility.
The campaign team warmly welcomes the constructive and substantive dialogue held with the distinguished members of the Committee and expresses its sincere appreciation to the African Union for the professionalism and quality of the process. It also reiterates its gratitude to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for its steadfast support throughout this important endeavour.
The campaign will continue its engagement with States Parties and partners in the months leading to the election at the twenty-fifth session of the Assembly of States Parties, to be held in New York from 7 to 17 December 2026.
Nomination by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
On 26 July 2026, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued an official communiqué announcing the candidacy of Professor Ezéchiel Amani Cirimwami for election as a judge of the International Criminal Court. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Communication and Media and marks the formal opening of the campaign ahead of the 25th session of the Assembly of States Parties, to be held in New York in December 2026. The communiqué sets out the grounds for the candidacy and reaffirms the DRC's commitment to the principles of the Rome Statute and to the strengthening of independent, impartial, and effective international justice. The full communiqué is available for download below.
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Exchange with the Minister of Justice of the DRC
In April 2026 Prof. dr. Ezéchiel Amani Cirimwami met with the State Minister and Minister of Justice, Guillaume Ngefa, to discuss key issues surrounding judicial cooperation and extradition. Their exchange focused on the importance of integrating scientific research into ongoing legal reforms, with the shared objective of strengthening the fight against impunity. This dialogue highlights a forward-looking approach to justice, where academic expertise and policy developments work hand in hand to reinforce the effectiveness and credibility of judicial systems.
Guest Lecture , Luxembourg Center for European Law ( LCEL) - 28 January 2026.
Prof. dr. Ezéchiel Amani Cirimwami recently presented a lecture on the African Court’s landmark judgment in DRC v. Rwanda (26 June 2025), its inter-State case. The presentation explored how the Court balances its procedural autonomy with selective reliance on the jurisprudence of other international and regional courts. It argued that this dialogue with external judicial practice reinforces both the Court’s legitimacy and the development of its distinctive jurisprudence.
“Procedural Cross-Fertilisation and Judicial Autonomy in the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights: Reflections on the DRC v. Rwanda Judgment”.
