︳LATEST ACTIVITIES
High-Level Week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly – New York, 19 - 27 September 2026
From 19 to 27 September 2026, Prof. Dr. Ézéchiel Amani Cirimwami travelled to New York as part of his ongoing campaign for the International Criminal Court.
The mission took place during the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Prof. Dr. Cirimwami was accompanied during the mission by campaign assistants, Ms. Inssaf Moustaine and Ms. Coline Staff, as he pursued a series of bilateral engagements in the context of his candidacy.
The visit also included a number of high-level bilateral engagements involving the Democratic Republic of the Congo, allowing the candidacy to be further presented and discussed in the context of broader diplomatic exchanges.
The week featured discussions on current challenges facing international criminal justice, the functioning of the Court, and broader issues concerning its future. The bilateral engagements also provided an opportunity to strengthen dialogue with States and gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives on international criminal justice.
These engagements formed part of the continued diplomatic efforts surrounding Prof. Dr. Cirimwami’s candidacy and provided an opportunity to present his vision for the Court directly in the context of discussions taking place in New York.
A Week of Diplomacy in The Hague – 14 September 2026
From 14 to 17 September 2026, Prof. Dr. Ézéchiel Amani Cirimwami held a series of bilateral meetings in The Hague as part of the preparation of his candidacy for the position of Judge of the International Criminal Court for the 2027–2036 term.
The meetings with several Permanent Missions and delegations accredited to the Court provided an opportunity for Prof. Dr. Cirimwami and his team to present his candidacy, professional background and vision for the role of an ICC judge, while engaging with State representatives on their priorities and expectations regarding the Court.
The week featured substantive discussions on current challenges facing international criminal justice, the functioning of the Court, and broader issues concerning its future. Each meeting also provided an opportunity to strengthen dialogue with States and gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives on international criminal justice. These engagements marked an important step in the campaign, providing an opportunity to continue dialogue with States and to present Prof. Dr. Cirimwami’s candidacy directly to the delegations met in The Hague.
Working Session in The Hague – 4 September 2026
On 4 September 2026, Prof. Dr. Ézéchiel Amani Cirimwami held a working session in The Hague as part of the preparation of his candidacy for the position of Judge of the International Criminal Court for the 2027–2036 term.
The session was held with Mr. Jean-Claude Omba Olenga, Deputy Head of Mission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in The Hague, with Prof. Dr. Cirimwami accompanied by Ms. Coline Staff, Legal Assistant. Discussions focused on preparations for upcoming bilateral engagements with States.
The participants reviewed the scheduled meetings, including the priorities and areas of interest of each delegation, as well as the issues to be addressed. Particular attention was given to the objectives of each engagement and to presenting Prof. Dr. Cirimwami’s vision for the Court while taking into account the perspectives of the States concerned.
The session provided an opportunity to coordinate the preparation of the bilateral meetings and to establish a clear approach for the engagements scheduled in The Hague.
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 The Hague from 30 November to 7 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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RECEPTION AT THE EGMONT PALACE IN BRUSSELS
On 6 July, professor Ezéchiel Amani Cirimwami attended a reception hosted by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Egmont Palace in Brussels.
The event brought together academics and practitioners in international law following high-level discussions on a new initiative in the field of international accountability. The reception provided an opportunity to exchange views with legal professionals working across academia and practice on current developments in international justice. It reflected the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in addressing contemporary challenges in the field.
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”.
