International Criminal Court for Rwanda - Registrar Appreciates Cameroon's Support

Bongani Majola on Tuesday March 4, 2014 in Yaounde had discussions with Prime Minister Philemon Yang.

The Assistant United Nations Secretary General and Registrar of the International Criminal Court for Rwanda, Bongani Majola, has thanked the government of Cameroon for its support to the court through the arrest and conveying for judgement of some suspects. He was also grateful to Cameroonian citizens who have rendered valuable services to the court. He was speaking at the Star Building in Yaounde, March 4, 2014 during an audience Prime Minister Philemon Yang granted him on behalf of the President of the Republic, Paul Biya.

The International Criminal Court for Rwanda that has lasted for 20 years was established as a temporary court to try people who bore the highest responsibility for the Rwandan genocide of 1994, the Registrar said. "We have come to Cameroon particularly because of the contribution this country made toward the successful work of the tribunal," Bongani Majola told reporters. "Ten of the people who were indicted and prosecuted were arrested in Cameroon and government played a great role in bringing them to the tribunal", he revealed and added that, "This country helped us to get the witnesses so that the evidence we needed to prosecute the people was available without any hurdles."

Besides playing an appreciable role in the arrest and prosecution of suspects, Cameroon, the court's registrar said also provided personnel who helped in the functioning of the court. He cited Barrister Bernard Muna who was one of the Deputy Prosecutors of the Court, as well as one of its judges, Cameroonian-born, Florence Arrey. "We have a large Cameroonian community at the court that provide language services," Bongani Majola further explained.

He said that Prime Minister Yang was pleasantly amazed to hear the extent and quality of Cameroon's support to the court. The Court's registrar said it is supposed to close at the end of this year and they are moving round a certain number of countries, including Cameroon, to seek cooperation to enable the court close in a smooth and orderly manner.