Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger exit ICC, denounce 'Neocolonial Repression'

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have formally announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), denouncing the tribunal as an instrument of "neocolonial repression" and accusing it of practising selective justice.

The three West African nations are currently governed by military juntas that seized power in a series of coups between 2020 and 2023.

In a joint statement released on Monday, the governments contended that the ICC has failed to impartially prosecute serious international crimes, including war crimes and genocide, though they did not provide specific details.

Also readPatience Akyianu, former Barclays Bank Ghana MD and Hollard CEO, reportedly dies

They labelled the court a tool of imperialism and stated that leaving the institution is a step toward reclaiming their national sovereignty.

Read Also: Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna Demo: Npp protest against 'state-sponsored' harassment

The statement also indicated their intention to establish "indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice."

This move aligns with a broader geopolitical shift by the three countries. They have previously exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to form their own alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States.

Also readL.I. 2519: Full list of road traffic offences and jail terms in Ghana

Additionally, they have significantly reduced defence cooperation with Western nations, particularly France, and have pursued stronger ties with Russia.

Read Also: Why Ousmane Dembele deserves the 2025 Ballon d’Or Over Lamine Yamal

The decision to leave the ICC follows allegations by human rights groups against the military governments and their partners. Human Rights Watch has documented possible atrocities committed by various factions in Mali and Burkina Faso.

In a recent example, UN experts suggested that summary executions allegedly carried out by Malian forces could constitute war crimes.

Also readAccra-Kumasi Expressway: Route, interchanges, distance and key details of the 198.7km project

The ICC itself has had an ongoing investigation in Mali since 2013 concerning alleged war crimes in northern regions.

Read Also: Must it come with bloodshed?

According to the ICC's procedures, a member state's withdrawal becomes official one year after it notifies the UN General Secretariat.

Source: This report is based on information originally published by Al Jazeera.