The African Case for an International Anti-Corruption Court
By Justice Richard Goldstone, Dr Ruth Kolevsohn, and Koogan Pillay

The foundation of any just society rests on the recognition and respect for the dignity of its people, and the corresponding role of the state to respect, protect, promote and fulfil that right. Yet, across the African continent – and indeed the globe – grand corruption continues to erode this very dignity. When public resources are plundered for private gain, trust in institutions is shattered, opportunities are stolen, and lives are diminished.

The Africa Anti-Corruption Day webinar was hosted on 10 July 2025 by the Africa Subcommittee of the International Anti-Corruption Court (IACCourt), in partnership with Integrity Initiatives International (III) and Good Governance Africa (GGA). It provided a powerful reminder that the global movement for accountability must centre human dignity as both its moral compass and its strategic objective.

This conviction also underpins the Values 20 (V20) five foundational values – Ubuntu (shared humanity), Dignity, Equity, Ethical Governance, Ownership & Agency. Anti-corruption is not merely a legal or political issue – it is a human rights imperative. It is also more acutely felt in the lived experiences of African citizens.

The keynote address by Justice Maria Wilson and comments by panellist, Dr Charles Adeogun-Phillips, SAN, during the webinar reminded us that legal mechanisms, like the IACCourt must go beyond prosecuting individuals – they must rebuild belief in justice systems. When offenders act with impunity, citizens disengage. However, when justice is visible, and assets are recovered and repurposed for public benefit, hope is restored.

Dr Oladiran Bello, CEO of GGA-Nigeria, also highlighted the importance of reframing the fight against corruption as a development issue. He proposed that anti-corruption efforts must not only focus on law enforcement, but also be integrated into strategies that address inequality, improved service delivery, and generation of inclusive growth. If we want to see long-term change, we must show that fighting corruption delivers tangible benefits to communities. Only then will people invest their trust in the process.

The establishment of the IACCourt is not a symbolic gesture – it is a practical step toward upholding the dignity of the millions of victims of grand corruption. It sends a clear message – no one is above the law, not even kleptocrats. It complements national systems where political interference, capacity deficits, or fear, inhibit action. Importantly, the IACCourt also provides a credible deterrent. Impunity is the oxygen that fuels grand corruption. Accountability suffocates it.

Dr Bello also drew attention to how impunity is often protected by a ‘lack of elite consensus’ to tackle corruption. He warned that without a critical mass of political will – both domestically and internationally – anti-corruption mechanisms will remain performative rather than transformative. Reforming institutions is only part of the answer; shifting elite behaviour is equally crucial.

Another key takeaway from the webinar was that the fight against corruption must be intersectional and inclusive. It must draw from the wisdom of traditional leaders, the energy of youth, the expertise of civil society, and the oversight of regional bodies. Justice Wilson urged us to regard dignity as a tangible outcome, not just a concept. When people have access to justice, when stolen assets are returned to schools, clinics, and clean water systems – then dignity is restored. She noted that corruption is often discussed in the abstract, yet its effects are felt concretely, particularly by women and children.

Dr Adeogun-Phillips also drew on his experience as a former international prosecutor to highlight the practical challenges of tackling transnational corruption. He emphasised that national jurisdictions are not always equipped or willing to prosecute politically exposed persons. The IACCourt, he argued, is essential to close this accountability gap and ensure that international crimes receive international consequences.

As the V20, a group committed to shaping global cooperation for the common good, looks to its next chapter, anti-corruption must become a priority. The establishment of the IACCourt connects meaningfully with each of the V20’s five foundational values. Ubuntu, the principle of shared humanity, reminds us that corruption harms not only
individuals but entire communities, fraying the bonds of trust and solidarity that underpin collective well-being. Dignity, the moral centre of all rights, is diminished when public officials betray the people they serve and when citizens are forced to pay bribes for basic services.

Equity calls for the fair distribution of resources, yet corruption siphons public wealth into private hands, deepening inequality and marginalisation. Ethical governance demands accountable leadership and transparent institutions, free from impunity and aligned with the public interest.

Finally, ownership and agency recognise that citizens must be empowered to demand justice, speak truth to power, and participate fully in shaping governance systems that reflect their needs and aspirations. The V20 can play a catalytic role in elevating the case for the IACCourt, promoting asset recovery as a development imperative, and encouraging member states to ratify international legal instruments that safeguard transparency. It can also convene diverse voices – from policymakers and prosecutors to poets and parents – to redefine what global justice looks like in an interconnected world.

Justice Richard Goldstone: Vice Chair of Integrity Initiatives International, and Chair of the IACCourt Treaty Drafting Committee
Dr Ruth Kolevsohn: Executive Director, Group Governance Programmes, Good Governance Africa
Koogan Pillay: V20 Advocacy Stream Lead – Advancing Transparency, Integrity and Accountability in Countering Corruption