Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have jointly announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), declaring that they no longer recognize its jurisdiction.
The three military-led governments accused the Court of selective prosecutions and described it as an “instrument of neo-colonial repression.” They stressed, however, that they remain committed to protecting human rights in accordance with their own values.
This is not the first time the trio has taken such a step. They used similar arguments earlier this year when they exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Human rights organizations and UN experts have repeatedly accused the armed forces of Mali and Burkina Faso, along with allied militias, of committing war crimes during counter-insurgency operations, in addition to abuses committed by Islamist militant groups. While national authorities claim investigations are ongoing, no findings have been made public.
The ICC, based in The Hague, has since 2002 prosecuted grave offenses including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Notably, major powers such as the United States, Israel, and Russia are not members.
Despite being rich in natural resources like gold and uranium—largely exploited by European and North American companies—the three Sahel nations remain among the poorest globally. Strategically located on smuggling and migration routes toward Europe, they have faced persistent instability.
Between 2020 and 2023, military juntas seized power in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, toppling Western-backed governments that had failed to suppress Islamist insurgencies. Since then, the regimes have distanced themselves from traditional Western allies, forging closer security ties with Russia.
