In June 2014, the Protocol on Amendments to the Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights (the Malabo Protocol) was adopted by the African Union. The Malabo Protocol provides for the inclusion of criminal jurisdiction within the remit of the proposed African Court of Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR).
While the ACJHR can play a vastly positive role in a continent persistently afflicted by the scourge of conflict and impunity for crimes under international law, there are a number of concerns and implications arising from the proposal to expand its jurisdiction.