Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger exit ICC

The military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced on Monday their exit from the International Criminal Court (ICC), labeling it a “neo-colonial” and imperialist institution.

The juntas, which seized power in Ouagadougou, Bamako, and Niamey between 2020 and 2023, have since formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and distanced themselves from Western influence, particularly from former colonial power France.

In a joint statement, the three countries described the Hague-based court as “an instrument of neo-colonialist repression in the hands of imperialism” and criticized it for being “incapable of handling and prosecuting proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression.”

They also indicated plans to establish “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice.” Withdrawal from the ICC becomes effective one year after the formal notice is submitted to the UN General Secretariat.

The announcement comes as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger strengthen ties with countries such as Russia, whose President Vladimir Putin has faced an ICC arrest warrant since March 2023 over the war in Ukraine.

The West African nations continue to battle deadly attacks from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS, even as their own military forces face accusations of committing crimes against civilians.

Founded in 2002, the ICC was established to prosecute perpetrators of the gravest crimes, including war crimes, when states are unwilling or unable to act themselves.