Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger withdraw from ICC
The military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), declaring that they no longer recognize its authority.
In a joint statement, the three West African states accused the ICC of arbitrarily prosecuting war crimes and acting as an instrument of “neo-colonialist repression.”
They stressed, however, that their governments remain committed to protecting human rights in line with their own values and national frameworks.
The trio made similar arguments earlier this year when they pulled out of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing political and security differences with the regional bloc.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations and United Nations experts have accused the Sahelian juntas of committing serious abuses during military operations against Islamist insurgents — in addition to atrocities carried out by the militant groups themselves.
Authorities in the three countries say investigations into alleged violations are ongoing, though no findings have yet been made public.
