Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the tribunal of serving as an instrument of “neocolonial repression.”
In a joint statement, the three military-led governments argued the ICC has shown bias and failed to prosecute major crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. They accused the court of applying “selective justice” and pledged to develop domestic mechanisms for peace and justice.
• The move mirrors their earlier withdrawal from ECOWAS, also framed as resistance to external influence.
• Since seizing power through coups between 2020–2023, the juntas have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), deepening ties with Russia while distancing from France.
• Their forces face accusations of abuses, even as they combat insurgencies linked to Al-Qaeda and IS affiliates.
The ICC, based in The Hague, was created in 2002 to prosecute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Major powers including the US, China, Russia, and Israel are not members..
Source: DW News
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