Side Event –“Commemorating 20 years of the ICC in Africa through cartoons” (co-hosted by the United Kingdom and Journalist for Justice))

Overview by Sally Eshun, Intern PILPG NL

The renowned and award-winning Kenyan cartoonist Godfrey Mwampembwa presented his work during this side event entitled “Commemorating 20 years of the ICC in Africa through cartoons” and explained to the attendees the current state of artists doing editorial cartoons in Kenya and East Africa as a whole. He explained that they are exposed to verbal abuse, threats and self-censoring by their editors. Particularly, the critique of the ICC having Situations in mainly African countries is being tackled in the cartoons but also the influence the ICC has on domestic politics in countries like Kenya, the Central African Republic, or Côte d’Ivoire. Mr. Mwampembwa noted his appreciation of how editorial cartoons can initiate discussions around issues in a way that other means of media cannot, particularly with an issue that is so multi-faceted like the ICC and its relationship with African countries.