Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have officially begun the process of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a significant shift in their engagement with the global justice system.
The ICC confirmed that the three military-led West African countries formally notified the court of their intention to withdraw after announcing the decision in September 2025.
The withdrawal begins a one-year process under the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the Hague-based court to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so.
READ ALSO: Burkina Faso Severes Diplomatic Ties with France
The three countries, which formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2024 after leaving ECOWAS, have strengthened ties with Russia while distancing themselves from France and other Western partners.
Explaining their decision, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger described the ICC as a “tool of neocolonial repression.”
In a statement,the ICC warned that the withdrawal of member states could undermine global efforts to ensure accountability for serious international crimes.
The court said the decision “risks undermining the collective pursuit of justice and weakening global efforts to end impunity.”
The ICC currently has 125 member states, although major powers such as China, India, Russia, the United States and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute.
Africanews
