Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger pull out of ICC, citing neocolonial bias

BAMAKO, Mali — Ruling military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger announced Monday they are withdrawing from the International Criminal Court, accusing the court of selective justice. In a joint statement, the three governments said the ICC has become an instrument of neocolonial repression in the hands of imperialism. The move follows years of strained relations after the coups that brought the juntas to power and comes as the three states have broken with longtime Western partners and shifted toward new alliances in the region.

The joint statement also said that the three governments seek greater sovereignty and hinted at pursuing an alternative mechanism for addressing alleged crimes within their borders. The issue underscores a broader reorientation of security and governance in the Sahel since the 2021-2022 period and the three governments have argued that Western-led institutions have disproportionately scrutinized them. The withdrawal process from the ICC is not immediate; it requires a formal notice and takes at least a year to complete, according to the court’s statutes. Earlier this year Hungary announced its withdrawal from the court.

As the withdrawals were announced, the three juntas have been moving away from Western partners and toward closer ties with Russia. Moscow has emerged as a key partner, supplying security support and diplomatic backing as Western aid and diplomacy have shifted away from the three governments. The move also comes as Russia is seeking to reshape alliances in Africa in the face of sanctions and international scrutiny; the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Russian president Vladimir Putin over actions in Ukraine. The alliances with Russia are part of a broader strategy to diversify partners and reduce dependence on Western institutions, though the practical implications for regional security and governance remain uncertain.

Experts say the pullout could complicate accountability processes and any ongoing or future ICC inquiries in the Sahel, where several waves of violence and human rights concerns have drawn international attention. The withdrawals could leave gaps in international oversight, prompting questions about how allegations and proven crimes will be handled. The juntas, meanwhile, have signaled a willingness to pursue local options for accountability, if any, but have not laid out a concrete plan or timeline. The first months of the new alignment with Moscow have already altered how neighboring governments and international partners engage with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on security, development and governance.

International reaction is likely to be measured, with Western governments reiterating support for accountability while acknowledging that sovereignty and regional dynamics must be respected. The move is a reminder of how the political landscape in West Africa has shifted since the coups, including the willingness of governments to disengage from international institutions they deem biased. As the ICC's mandate covers war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, the withdrawals raise questions about the ability of the international community to pursue justice in situations where governments refuse cooperation. The timeline to exit means the triad will still face any ongoing investigations under ICC jurisdiction for the time being, even as formal steps toward outside oversight accelerate.

Ultimately, the three states will remain ICC members until the withdrawal takes effect, a process that could take more than a year. The period will overlap with continued international diplomacy, humanitarian work and security operations in the region. Analysts say the move signals a broader reevaluation of how postcolonial states engage with international justice systems, with governments seeking to balance accountability, sovereignty and practical security concerns in a volatile region. The development underscores how Africa's security and political architecture is evolving in the wake of coups, and how external powers are recalibrating their engagement with Sahelian governments.

While the world watches, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will have to navigate both domestic pressures and international expectations as they chart a course that could reshape their relationships with donors, partners and regional blocs. The decisions are unlikely to reverse quickly or easily, given the formal processes required to leave the ICC, and the potential for new regional mechanisms to emerge over time. In the near term, the international community will be watching not only for how accountability is pursued in practice but also for signs of stability, governance reforms and respect for human rights in these volatile countries.