THE government of Lesotho has noted with concern that one of its nationals, Phakiso Mochochoko who is head of Jurisdiction and Cooperation Division at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been banned from entering the United States of America (USA).

Mochochoko, along with ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda from the Gambia have been banned from entering the U.S because they are investigating U.S citizens suspected of committing crimes under the Rome Statute.

The statute deals with crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression.

In a statement, the government of Lesotho says the two have been added to the list of Specially Designated Nationals in the office of Foreign Assets Control by the U.S government.

Besides banning from entering American soil together with their families, both Mochochoko and Bensouda have also been barred from taking their properties which they may have in that country.

These sanctions are said to be very serious for individuals and those associated with them since they can affect their businesses and foreign freedom of movement.

In March, the ICC authorised an investigation into possible war crimes in Afghanistan, including those that may have been committed by U.S military and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which could lead to the indictment of U.S military and intelligence personnel.