Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Mali have announced their decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, serves as the world’s permanent tribunal for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
In a joint statement on Monday, the three French-speaking West African nations—now aligned under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—criticised the court, describing it as “a global example of selective justice”.
“The ICC has proven itself incapable of handling and prosecuting proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression,” the statement signed by Assimi Goïta, Malian president and AES chief, reads.
The ICC has been investigating Mali since 2013 for alleged war crimes committed mainly in the northern regions of Gao, Timbuktu, and Kidal, which were once under insurgent control.
By law, a country’s withdrawal from the ICC becomes effective one year after its notification is formally submitted to the UN general secretariat.
The military-led states further alleged that the court’s jurisdiction had “transformed into an instrument of neocolonial repression in the hands of imperialism”.
They also announced plans to establish “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice”.
The move comes as the three nations continue to grapple with militant groups controlling vast territories and mounting regular attacks on military bases.
It also follows their withdrawal from ECOWAS more than a year ago.