Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have declared their intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the Hague-based tribunal of serving as an “instrument of neo-colonialist repression.”
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the three military-led governments said they would no longer recognise the authority of the UN-backed court, which was established in 2002 to prosecute cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression.
“The ICC has proven itself incapable of handling and prosecuting proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression,” the leaders said.
They added that they plan to establish “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice.”
The Sahel states echoed long-standing criticism that the ICC disproportionately targets African nations. Since its inception, 32 of the court’s 33 cases have involved African countries. Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has previously accused the ICC of holding an anti-African bias.
The ICC has not yet responded to the announcement.
The decision comes as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – now united under the Confederation of Sahel States – continue to distance themselves from Western institutions. All three countries are ruled by military juntas following coups between 2020 and 2023.
Earlier this year, they simultaneously withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after rejecting demands to restore democratic rule.
Their armies have faced accusations of abuses against civilians amid escalating violence involving jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
The three states have deepened ties with Russia, which has provided military and political support as they grow increasingly isolated from Western powers, particularly France.
The move also comes against the backdrop of the ICC’s 2023 arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accused of war crimes in Ukraine.
Under ICC rules, a country’s withdrawal takes effect one year after the UN is formally notified. Until then, the court retains jurisdiction over crimes committed on their territories.
