Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the tribunal of being an instrument of neo-colonialist repression.
In a joint statement, the three military-led governments said they no longer recognise the court’s authority, insisting it has failed to prosecute war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression fairly. The countries indicated they would establish indigenous mechanisms to ensure justice and peace, rejecting what they described as the ICC’s bias against less privileged states.
The governments further accused the court of targeting Africa disproportionately, pointing out that almost all the 33 cases launched since the ICC’s creation have involved African countries. Although they declared their exit immediate, international procedure stipulates that a country’s withdrawal from the ICC takes effect one year after the United Nations receives formal notification.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are currently under military rule following a series of coups between 2020 and 2023. Earlier this year, they also announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over disagreements on the restoration of democratic governance.
The ICC is yet to issue a response to their latest decision.
Source: BBC News
