Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, deepening their break with Western-backed institutions and raising fresh concerns over justice for victims of conflict in the Sahel.
The three military-led countries said they were leaving the ICC because they no longer trust the court’s independence. In a joint statement, they accused the Hague-based tribunal of selective justice and described it as an instrument of “neo-colonial” pressure.
The ICC investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression. Rights groups warned that the withdrawal could weaken accountability in a region where civilians have suffered from jihadist attacks, military abuses and communal violence.
The move follows the countries’ earlier exit from ECOWAS and their formation of the Alliance of Sahel States, a bloc created after a series of coups between 2020 and 2023. Their governments have increasingly promoted sovereignty and rejected pressure from France, the European Union and other Western partners.
The ICC’s governing body expressed concern, warning that the decision could undermine the global fight against impunity. Under the Rome Statute, withdrawal normally takes effect one year after formal notification, meaning the court may still retain jurisdiction over crimes committed before the exit becomes final. (The Peninsula Newspaper)
Human rights organizations have urged the three governments to reconsider, saying victims of serious crimes could be denied justice and reparations if international legal avenues are closed. (Amnesty International)
For now, the withdrawal marks another major diplomatic shift in the Sahel, where military rulers are reshaping regional alliances while facing persistent insecurity and growing scrutiny over human rights abuses.
