Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have jointly announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing the move as a “sovereign decision.”
According to reports by AP, AFP, Reuters, and RFI’s regional correspondent, the three West African nations—currently under military leadership following recent coups—outlined deep grievances against the ICC, accusing it of bias and selective prosecution.
In a joint statement, the governments argued that “over time, the ICC has transformed itself into an instrument of neocolonial repression in the hands of imperialism, thus becoming a global example of selective justice.”
The withdrawal marks another significant step by the juntas toward distancing their countries from Western-backed institutions. Analysts say the decision could further complicate international efforts to address alleged human rights abuses and war crimes in the Sahel region, where insecurity and insurgency remain rife.
The ICC, established to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, has not yet formally responded to the announcement.
