Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Announce Withdrawal from International Criminal Court

The military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced their immediate withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), labeling it as a tool of neocolonial repression. This move marks a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of West Africa’s Sahel region, which has experienced eight coups between 2020 and 2023.

In a joint statement, the three countries criticized the ICC for its alleged failure to effectively prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and crimes of aggression, though they did not specify particular cases where the court had fallen short. Each of the countries is engaged in ongoing conflict with Islamist militant groups, and both militants and national military forces have faced allegations of crimes against humanity. In April 2025, the United Nations reported that alleged summary executions of civilians by Malian forces could amount to war crimes.

The ICC has maintained an open investigation in Mali since 2013, focusing on alleged war crimes primarily in the northern regions of Gao, Timbuktu, and Kidal, areas previously under militant control. The investigation was initiated following a referral from the Malian government at the time and coincided with a French military intervention to push back insurgents.

The withdrawal from the ICC is part of a broader trend of the three countries asserting “independence” from former colonial powers. In March 2025, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger also exited the International Organization of La Francophonie, which promotes cooperation among French-speaking nations.

Earlier this year, on January 28, the three states formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after rejecting the regional bloc’s demands to restore democratic governance. The military-led governments criticized ECOWAS for overstepping its mandate and interfering in national sovereignty, marking a significant diplomatic break in West Africa and further isolating the countries from regional and Western institutions, while consolidating their alignment under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

The AES governments have stated that the move aligns with their vision of establishing regional mechanisms for justice and accountability. Plans for the Sahelian Criminal and Human Rights Court (CPS-DH) are ongoing, with details on its structure and operational timeline expected to be released in the coming months.