Withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC)
The military-led West African nations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from the ICC on September 22, 2025. They labeled the ICC as a "neo-colonial" tool.
Reasons for Withdrawal
- The ruling juntas in Bamako, Ouagadougou, and Niamey have allied under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and have moved away from Western influence, especially France.
- In a joint statement, these countries criticized the ICC as an instrument of "neo-colonialist repression" and questioned its effectiveness in prosecuting serious crimes like war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- The three nations expressed a desire to establish indigenous mechanisms for peace and justice.
Implications of Withdrawal
- The withdrawal process takes effect one year after a formal submission to the UN General Secretariat.
- Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have been strengthening ties with countries such as Russia.
Background on the ICC
- Established in 2002, the ICC's mission is to prosecute serious crimes like war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity when national jurisdictions fail to do so.
- Currently, the ICC has an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin since March 2023 concerning the war in Ukraine.
Regional Security Concerns
- The West African countries are currently challenged by violence from jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
- Their military forces have faced accusations of committing crimes against civilians.
