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Rabat – The three West African nations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced on Monday that they are withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The countries said the court is a tool of “neo-colonialist repression.”
In a joint statement, the governments said the ICC has “proven itself incapable of handling and prosecuting proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression.”
They added that they plan to create their own “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice.”
The decision comes as the three countries grow increasingly distant from Western powers, especially France, their former colonial ruler. Since military coups between 2020 and 2023, the juntas have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), strengthening ties with each other and with countries like Russia.
The ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute the world’s most serious crimes when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so. However, the AES governments argue it has been used as an imperialist tool.
Russia, a new ally for the three states, has also faced criticism from the ICC, which issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin in 2023 over the war in Ukraine.
The withdrawal will only take effect one year after the official notification is submitted to the United Nations.
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger continue to face serious security threats from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Their own armies have also been accused of abuses against civilians, raising concerns about accountability if they leave the ICC.
