Three West African Countries Quit International Criminal Court Over Neocolonialism Claims

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, all military-led West African countries, have announced their immediate withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), denouncing it as an instrument of neo-colonialist repression and selective justice. The three nations criticized the ICC for its alleged failure to effectively prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression, and accused the court of disproportionately targeting African countries while remaining silent on crimes committed by powerful nations. These countries, which have faced insurgencies from jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, have also been under scrutiny for alleged abuses by their own military forces. They plan to establish indigenous mechanisms for peace and justice, asserting their sovereignty and rejecting the ICC's authority. This move follows their earlier coordinated withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and reflects their closer ties to Russia amid regional instability. The ICC has not yet responded to their withdrawal, which officially takes effect one year after notification to the UN.