Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Announce That They Are Leaving The ICC
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced that they are leaving the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of being an “instrument of neocolonial repression in the hands of imperialism.” In a joint statement, the military-led governments said the court has failed to prosecute “proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression,” and that they no longer recognize its authority.
The three Sahel nations—now part of a self-formed Alliance of Sahel States—have been distancing themselves from Western institutions since a wave of coups between 2020 and 2023. They’ve already exited ECOWAS, slashed ties with former colonial power France, and leaned heavily into partnerships with Russia, whose president is currently under an ICC arrest warrant. They also hinted at building “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice.”
The ICC has had an open investigation in Mali since 2013, focused on alleged war crimes during the country's insurgency. But critics say the court disproportionately targets African nations—out of 33 cases it has pursued, nearly all involve African countries. While the withdrawal won't be official for another year, rights groups have raised concerns, especially as the three militaries face accusations of crimes against civilians amid ongoing battles with jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
