Abstract:
The ‘African-state’ seems to be undergoing a major metamorphosis on the realization that
it is sovereign. What need re-asking is; when did Africa become conscious of being
sovereign? An aspect of sovereignty that has been overstressed is the concept of state
sovereignty and to a lesser extent the citizen sovereignty. A paradigm must take place in
the definition of sovereignty extending it to the third unofficial level- ‘individual
sovereignty’ (leaders’ sovereignty). This paper analyzes sovereignty of the African state
in the context of intervention by the International Criminal Court (ICC). In so doing, it
raises the question on what direction this third level of sovereignty is likely to take. In its
inner-core, the universality principle of UN: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR) strength is put on test. Is it going to stand with Africa’s new position with ICC
which sort of think leaders rights are lightly addressed making them embarrassed before
their subjects.
