Shortly afterwards, the prosecutor found he could disclose the evidence after all and pronounced himself "highly confident" that Lubanga's trial would start last September. In fact, it began in January.

Ten years ago, I was all in favour of the fledgling court. In believing that international criminal justice would deter tyranny-or, failing that, punish tyrants-I was as naive as those who thought that the election of Tony Blair in 1997 or Barack Obama in 2009 would avoid war.

Having thought there could be no peace without justice, I now believe there will be no justice without peace.