South Africa Backtracks on ICC Stance Before Possible Putin Trip

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa walked back his statement that the country plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, as the authorities grapple with how to handle a potential visit by Russian leader Vladimir Putin this year.

Ramaphosa had said on Tuesday that the governing African National Congress decided to pull out of the ICC because of what the party said was its inconsistent application of international law. His remark was later contradicted by the ANC, which in a statement reaffirmed a party resolution in December to remain a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the court.