Hours after Navi Pillay’s Nobel win, US sanctioned her former court [video]

South Africa says it is “very concerned” by new International Criminal Court (ICC) sanctions imposed by the United States.

And it’s making it clear where it stands.

On Monday, 12 October, Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel said South Africa remained committed to the court.

He said South Africa, as a founding member of the ICC, reaffirmed its support for the institution.

“South Africa is very concerned by the sanctions imposed by the United States on the International Criminal Court and its officials,” Nel said.

He also warned against political pressure on judges and prosecutors.

WHAT THE ICC SANCTIONS MEAN

The US announced the sanctions on Friday, 9 October, hours after South African judge Navi Pillay, a former ICC judge, won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

The timing raised eyebrows. But according to AP, via Euronews, the decision to impose the sanctions had been made well before the Nobel announcement.

For the first time, the US targeted the court as an entire institution, rather than individual officials.

The sanctions freeze any ICC assets held in the US.

They also give US companies and individuals six months to end their business dealings with the court.

The US also issued licences allowing some activities to continue.

According to The Tribune, these include a 180-day licence covering activities needed to keep the court running, along with authorisations for IT services, the ICC pension plan and activities related to detainees.

WHY THE US SAYS IT ACTED

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the move on X.

The Trump administration has accused the court of political bias and of unfairly targeting Americans and Israelis over alleged war crimes.

Washington also cited concerns over American sovereignty.

Rubio said the action was intended to encourage American allies within the court to work towards addressing those concerns.

The US is not a member of the ICC.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the sanctions.

The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for him over alleged crimes committed in Gaza.

WHAT THE ICC AND ITS ALLIES SAY

The ICC condemned the sanctions.

It said they were an attempt to obstruct the course of justice and prevent the court from doing what it was created to do.

The court has 125 member states, and many US allies have backed it.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Japan said they “regret and strongly disagree” with the sanctions.

The European Union said it deeply regrets the move and stands ready to take all necessary measures to protect the court.

The European Commission said it hopes the six-month delay before the sanctions apply leaves room for dialogue.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, whose country hosts the ICC in The Hague, said: “We will do whatever we need to defend the ICC.”

THE PILLAY CONNECTION

Pillay served as a judge at the ICC from 2003 to 2008.

She won the Nobel Peace Prize “for her efforts to promote peace and international law.”

The timing was striking, even if the decision was made earlier.

On the same day South Africa celebrated one of its own, the court she once served came under unprecedented pressure.

With six months before the sanctions fully apply, this row isn’t going away any time soon.

DO YOU THINK SOUTH AFRICA SHOULD TAKE A STRONGER STAND AGAINST THE ICC SANCTIONS?