The military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced their formal withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the court of being a “neo-colonial” tool used by imperial powers.
This announcement, made on Monday, marks a significant step in the evolving geopolitical stance of these West African nations, which have taken a firm stand against the West, particularly former colonial ruler France.
The withdrawal, effective one year after the official submission to the UN General Secretariat, signals the end of the three countries’ affiliation with the ICC.
The governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have criticized the court, saying it has repeatedly failed to prosecute those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression. In a joint statement, the countries emphasized their desire to build “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice.”
The decision to leave the ICC comes amid an intensifying alliance among these nations, which have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) following a series of military coups between 2020 and 2023.
These countries have not only distanced themselves from France but have also sought closer ties with Russia, particularly following the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, has been the subject of an ICC arrest warrant since March 2023, further highlighting the growing geopolitical rift between these West African nations and the West.
The ICC, established in 2002, was created to hold accountable those responsible for the most serious crimes when national courts are either unwilling or unable to do so. However, the African states’ criticism stems from what they perceive as a biased approach that disproportionately targets African leaders while letting other global powers off the hook.
