US Sanctions ICC President Tomoko Akane

The US government has taken a further step in its ongoing dispute with the International Criminal Court (ICC). On August 18, 2026, the US government designated two additional ICC officials for sanctions under an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in February 2025.

These sanctions target Tomoko Akane, the president of the ICC, and Abdoulaye Seye, an ICC senior trial lawyer from Senegal. The move is part of the US government's broader efforts to limit the ICC's ability to investigate and prosecute international crimes.

A lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's sanctions against ICC prosecutors and judges, a UN human rights expert, and three Palestinian human rights groups was filed in US federal court on August 11. The lawsuit was brought by Human Rights Watch, together with the American Friends Service Committee, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and the Open Society Institute.

Human Rights Watch has condemned the US government's decision to sanction two more ICC officials, including the court's President Tomoko Akane. Kanae Doi, Japan director at Human Rights Watch, stated that the US government's actions are "an affront to victims around the world and a naked attempt to shield American and Israeli officials implicated in serious crimes from justice."

The Japanese government has been a long-standing supporter of the ICC, and Human Rights Watch is calling on it to strongly condemn the Trump administration's attacks on the court and work with other ICC member countries to protect the court's critical global mandate.

## US Sanctions Against ICC Officials

| Official | Nationality | Position | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Tomoko Akane | Japan | President of the ICC | | Abdoulaye Seye | Senegal | ICC senior trial lawyer |

## International Community's Response to US Sanctions

The ICC has faced increasing pressure from the US government in recent years, with the US government imposing sanctions on ICC officials and threatening to take further action. The international community has been divided on the issue, with some countries supporting the ICC's efforts to hold individuals accountable for international crimes and others opposing its actions.

The US government's decision to sanction two more ICC officials, including the court's President Tomoko Akane, is likely to further escalate tensions between the US and the ICC. The international community will be watching closely to see how the situation develops and whether other countries will follow the US government's lead in imposing sanctions on ICC officials.

The Japanese government's response to the US government's sanctions against ICC officials, including President Tomoko Akane, will be closely watched. Human Rights Watch is calling on the Japanese government to strongly condemn the Trump administration's attacks on the ICC and work with other ICC member countries to protect the court's critical global mandate.

The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the US government and the ICC, and the need for the international community to work together to protect the rule of law and hold individuals accountable for international crimes.