Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Mali have formally announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the global tribunal of bias and neocolonial tendencies.
The three French-speaking nations, now united under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), said on Monday that the court had lost credibility and failed to act on grave crimes across the world.
“The ICC has proven itself incapable of handling and prosecuting proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression,” the statement signed by Mali’s military leader and AES head, Assimi Goïta, read.
ICC Under Fire in Africa
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, was set up in 2002 as the world’s permanent tribunal for prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity. But over the years, it has faced criticism, particularly from African leaders, for allegedly targeting the continent disproportionately.
Mali has been under ICC investigation since 2013, when jihadist groups took over parts of the northern regions – Gao, Timbuktu, and Kidal. The probe covered reports of atrocities against civilians during the conflict.
Under international law, a nation’s withdrawal from the ICC takes effect one year after notifying the United Nations Secretary-General.
Sahel States Chart New Path
The AES bloc accused the ICC of being an “instrument of neocolonial repression in the hands of imperialism” and vowed to set up home-grown systems of justice.
The move comes as the three military-led states grapple with worsening insecurity. Insurgent groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS have continued to stage deadly attacks on soldiers and civilians, making the Sahel one of the world’s fastest-rising conflict zones.
Monday’s announcement also adds to their growing detachment from global institutions. In January 2024, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali pulled out of ECOWAS, claiming the West African body no longer served their interests.
