Dakar – Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have officially announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, denouncing it as “a tool of neocolonial repression,” reports 24brussels.
The three countries, currently led by military regimes, have departed from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and formed the Alliance of Sahel States. They are also scaling back military collaborations with Western nations while seeking to strengthen ties with Russia.
Why did Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger quit ICC?
“The ICC has proven itself incapable of handling and prosecuting proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression,”
the West African states stated. They criticized the ICC for allegedly targeting less affluent nations, echoing sentiments expressed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who previously condemned the court for its perceived anti-African bias.
The three nations aim to create “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice.” The military juntas currently governing Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger took power in a series of coups between 2020 and 2023, subsequently forming the confederation known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
How has the ICC historically handled African cases?
Established in 2002, the ICC is tasked with prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression. Since its inception, 33 cases have been initiated, with all but one involving an African nation.
In April 2025, United Nations experts reported that alleged summary executions of civilians by Malian forces could constitute war crimes.
Since 2013, the ICC has been investigating purported war crimes in Mali, particularly in the northern regions of Gao, Timbuktu, and Kidal, areas previously under militant control. France intervened in late 2013 to combat these insurgents, and the investigation was prompted by a referral from the government at that time.
What is the ICC’s jurisdiction and global mandate?
The ICC is a permanent international tribunal aimed at prosecuting individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It is designed to complement existing national judicial systems. Headquartered in The Hague, the court has dealt with some of the world’s most significant crimes since 2002, including genocide and war crimes.
Which other nations are not part of the ICC?
Major global powers including the US, China, and Russia are not members of the ICC, having failed to ratify the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court. Israel also does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction over its nationals or territory.