In brief
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have declared their immediate withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), labeling it a tool of neo-colonialism. The joint statement from the military-led nations reflects a rejection of the court’s authority and an intent to establish indigenous mechanisms for justice. This move aligns with their previous decisions to exit other regional organizations amid growing ties with Russia and criticism of Western influence.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have announced they will immediately withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), labelling it an instrument of neo-colonialist repression.
The three military-led countries issued a joint statement, saying they would not recognise the authority of the United Nations' top court, based in The Hague.
The ICC has proven itself incapable of handling and prosecuting proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression, the three leaders said.
The court has not yet responded to the decision by the three countries, all of which have close ties to Russia, whose leader Vladimir Putin is currently subject to an ICC arrest warrant.
The three states stated they wanted to set up indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice. They have accused the ICC of disproportionately targeting less privileged countries, echoing sentiments from Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, who has criticized the ICC for an alleged anti-African bias.
Established in 2002, the ICC was designed to pursue cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression. Of the 33 cases launched since its inception, all but one involved an African country.
Officially, a country's withdrawal from the ICC becomes effective one year after notification to the UN.
The military junta currently controls Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, following a series of coups between 2020 and 2023. They form the only three members of the Confederation of Sahel States.
These nations' military forces have faced accusations of crimes against civilians, as violence escalates in the region involving jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.
Earlier this year, all three countries simultaneously withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), rejecting demands for a return to democratic governance.
Russia has been strengthening its ties with the three Sahel countries as they become increasingly isolated from the West, particularly from France, the former colonial power in the region. In 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes linked to the invasion of Ukraine.
