Award Information
The African Union is divided about whether they should withdraw from or remain members of the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, the reasons for these divergent reactions to the ICC are unclear. This thesis will establish what the divergent stances by African Member States are as well as why they have come into fruition by using Albert O. Hirschman's "Exit, Voice and Loyalty" (1980) theoretical framework to examine African States' behaviour in relation to the ICC. Through this theoretical case study, this thesis will address the deficiency in Afrocentric international relations theories by building upon Hirschman's domestic political economy framework to create a version of "Exit, Voice and Loyalty" that is applicable to international organisations, and focused up analysing African State behaviour. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews with representatives of the African Union and ICC, I will gather primary data that will be triangulated by drawing on academic and grey literature. This will serve to test the theoretical framework. Establishing an understanding of what is causing some African States to withdraw from, remain in, or be silent about the ICC is highly valuable because the ICC represents international justice and human rights. This is critical at a time in international relations whereby institutions such as this are under siege.