The United States imposed targeted sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, barring them from entry to the U.S. and freezing any U.S.-linked assets, a step that escalates the Washington‑The Hague dispute over ICC investigations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the measures on Aug 18, invoking a Trump‑era executive order that authorises sanctions against ICC officials accused of pursuing cases without a state’s consent. The order is cited as issued in 2025 by some reports, while others refer to a 2024 directive, reflecting a timeline discrepancy.
The ICC condemned the action, saying the targeting of judges and prosecutors undermines the rule of law and places the international legal order at risk. The court affirmed it remains undeterred, pledging support for its staff and victims of atrocities, but warned the sanctions could jeopardize its operations.
A material disagreement exists over the executive order’s date and the scope of the Treasury’s general licence, which some accounts say authorises a wind‑down of transactions through Sept 17, while others do not specify the licence timeline, leaving the precise financial impact unclear.