With eyes still trained on the Kenyan case against suspects deemed to have borne the greatest responsibility in the 2008 post election violence, the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court is now turning attention to the situation in Cote d'Ivoire.
In the latest news highlight, the office of the prosecutor says it is very concerned about the deteriorating situation in Ivory Coast.
The International Criminal Court, Prosecutor Louis Moreno-Ocampo says he could use his independent proprio motu power to request authorization from the Pre Trial Chamber to initiate an investigation into crimes committed in the Ivory Coast conflict.
In a statement the office of the prosecutor says it is very concerned about the deteriorating situation in Ivory Coast.
It says it is collecting information on alleged crimes committed in Ivory Coast by different parties to the conflict noting that whereas Ivory Coast is not a state party of the Rome Statute, incumbent strongman Laurent Gbagbo accepted jurisdiction of the Court in accordance with article 12(3) of the Rome Statute.
Ocampo says that Allasane Ouattara had also confirmed by letter and provided information to his office. With this Ocampo says he could proceed with an investigation and start to prepare a request for an arrest warrant for those most responsible for crimes in the West African country.
And UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon expressed concern over the happenings in Cote d'Ivoire saying the escalation of violence between forces loyal to Ouattara and those remaining loyal to Gbagbo is a direct consequence of Gbagbo's refusal to relinquish power and allow a peaceful transition to Ouattara.
Moon warned those who commit serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws that they will be held accountable.