Dakar:  The military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have jointly announced their decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the tribunal of selective justice and bias against African nations. The move marks a major break with international justice mechanisms and underscores the juntas’ ongoing rejection of Western influence.

In a statement released on Monday, the three Sahel countries said the ICC has become “an instrument of neocolonial repression” that protects certain powers while targeting others. They criticized the court for failing to prosecute what they described as well-documented crimes, including war crimes and genocide, while pursuing leaders and groups outside what they called “an institutionalized circle of impunity.”

The withdrawal process, however, is not immediate. Under the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, a formal notification must be submitted to the United Nations secretary-general, and the process takes at least one year to take effect. Any investigations or cases already initiated before the withdrawal would remain under the court’s jurisdiction.

The decision comes at a time when the three nations, each under military rule following recent coups, have deepened their cooperation through the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This new regional bloc has distanced itself from Western partners and is seeking closer ties with alternative allies, particularly Russia. The exit from the ICC is seen as another step in asserting sovereignty and reshaping their international alignments.

Human rights organizations have expressed concern that the withdrawal could erode accountability for serious crimes committed in the region. The Sahel has faced years of violence from extremist groups, and both armed militants and state security forces have been accused of widespread abuses. Critics fear that with the ICC no longer able to intervene in future cases, victims of atrocities may be left without avenues for justice.

The three governments have pledged to create indigenous mechanisms to address issues of peace and justice, though they have not provided specific details on how these systems will function. Observers warn that such mechanisms may lack the independence and impartiality needed to ensure fair accountability.

This announcement reflects a growing trend of dissatisfaction among African nations with the ICC, which has often been accused of disproportionately targeting leaders from the continent. While some countries have previously threatened to withdraw, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are now among the few to take concrete steps toward departure.

The international community is watching closely to see how the ICC, the African Union, and global powers will respond to the move, and whether it will encourage other states to reconsider their membership in the court. For now, the decision underscores the ongoing struggle in the Sahel between sovereignty, justice, and accountability in the face of complex security and humanitarian crises.