The 'African-State' Sovereignty in the 21st Century on Spotlight: Building Paradigms

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.