The 3 African Sahel countries withdraw from the International Criminal Court
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced Monday evening their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, describing it as a tool of neo-colonial oppression in the hands of imperialism.
The three countries, part of the Sahel Alliance, explained in a joint statement that this decision, taken with immediate effect, falls within the framework of their desire to affirm their full sovereignty.
The 3 Sahel alliance considered that the International Criminal Court has proven its inability to deal with war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and crimes of aggression, and to prosecute their perpetrators.
The countries of the Sahel Alliance, of which Mali holds the rotating presidency, have affirmed their desire to establish local mechanisms to consolidate peace and justice, and are expected to soon establish a criminal court for the Sahel.
Any State’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court becomes effective one year after the official request for withdrawal is submitted to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The International Criminal Court was established in 2002; Its primary objective is to prosecute those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, but it has faced criticism for its focus on leaders of the Global South, particularly those in Africa.
