23/09/2025
In a historic joint statement, the military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The three nations accuse the ICC of being a tool of “neocolonial repression,” claiming it applies selective justice that unfairly targets African countries. They say they want to rely on their own indigenous systems of justice and reinforce their sovereignty.
But here’s the catch 👉 withdrawal from the ICC is not immediate. According to international law, it takes one year before it becomes official, and the countries remain bound by obligations for crimes committed before the withdrawal takes effect.
While leaders present this move as reclaiming independence, human rights groups warn that it may limit accountability for future crimes and reduce avenues for victims to seek justice.
This decision adds to the shifting political landscape in West Africa, where these nations are already redefining their alliances and distancing themselves from Western institutions.
