CCISSGO-24

MALI, NIGER, BURKINA FASO EXIT ICC: What It MEANS FOR AFRICA AND THE WORLD In a dramatic turn of events, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have jointly announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). This decision marks a significant moment in international law, geopolitics, and Africa’s relationship with global institutions. The three West African nations, long critical of the ICC, stated that the court has become “a tool of neocolonial repression,” accusing it of bias and selective prosecution. Their departure raises serious questions about the future of international justice, African sovereignty, and the credibility of the ICC itself. A BRIEF BACKGROUND ON THE ICC IN AFRICA The ICC, established in 2002 through the Rome Statute, was designed as a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. From its inception, Africa has been one of its most engaged regions. Out of the 124 m...