International Criminal Court faces search for new prosecutor after Karim Khan dismissal

The International Criminal Court faces a challenging search for a new prosecutor after Karim Khan was dismissed, amid a US diplomatic campaign to undermine the court and a rise in state withdrawals. Chad became the fifth country to start withdrawal, following Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The court's deputy prosecutors will run the office temporarily, but finding a replacement may be difficult due to US sanctions threats.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) faces a challenging search for a new prosecutor after Karim Khan was dismissed for serious misconduct, against the backdrop of a US diplomatic campaign to undermine the court and a rise in states withdrawing from the institution. On Monday, Chad became the fifth country to start the formal withdrawal process in recent months, following Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The African state's announcement came just days after 82 of the court's 125 member states voted to dismiss Khan. That triggered an election process for a new prosecutor, but details still have to be hammered out, and a vote is not expected before the new year. After Khan's removal, the court said it will continue to carry out its mandate. While member states consider the procedure to find Khan's replacement, the office of the prosecutor will be run by the current deputy prosecutors, Nazhat Shameen Khan from Fiji and Senegal's Mame Mandiaye Niang. Court watchers say it may be hard to find a good replacement amid the US's ramped-up diplomatic campaign. Washington wants the ICC to drop its arrest warrants against Israeli leaders over Gaza and to stop investigating alleged crimes involving US troops. The European Union and several of the court's big backers have voiced support but have not announced practical steps to shore up the institution. The next election will be a litmus test, especially since earlier votes were criticized for facing political influence and last-minute changes of procedure.