West African Nations Mali, Burkina Faso & Niger Withdraw from International Criminal Court
Bamako, Ouagadougou, Niamey - Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have all formally announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), escalating a trend of distancing from traditional western partners and deepening ties with Russia following recent military coups in each nation. The announcements, made in recent days, come as the three countries’ military leaders increasingly align with Moscow, raising concerns about accountability for alleged human rights abuses and the future of international justice in the sahel region.
The withdrawals, which take at least a year to complete, mark a further rejection of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a political and economic bloc the juntas have abandoned since seizing power. Instead, the countries have forged new alliances, primarily with Russia, whose President Vladimir Putin is subject to an arrest warrant from the ICC over alleged forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
Russia has already increased its presence in the region. Mali has received Russian helicopters, arms, and ammunition, and partnered with the wagner mercenary group – accused by Human Rights Watch in a 2023 report of committing “serious abuses against civilians,” resulting in the deaths of at least 32 non-combatants alongside the Malian army – ostensibly to counter a Jihadist insurgency ongoing since 2011. Wagner has also signed a similar agreement with the junta in Burkina Faso to combat its own insurgency.
Beyond military support, Burkina Faso was a recipient of 50,000 tons of free grain from Russia in 2023, and the two countries have pledged to strengthen economic ties and diversify trade earlier this year. In Niger, Russian troops have been stationed at an airbase in Niamey previously occupied by US forces.
The growing alignment was further underscored this week when the ambassadors of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger visited Russian-occupied Crimea, accompanied by russian diplomats. ukraine’s foreign ministry condemned the visit as a “gross violation of international law,” citing UN General Assembly resolution 68/262 which reaffirms the non-recognition of any changes to the status of crimea.
These withdrawals follow similar moves by other nations. Burundi was the first country to leave the ICC in 2017. hungary announced its withdrawal in April 2024, criticizing the court for allegedly becoming a “political body” after the issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Philippines also withdrew in 2019, though its former President Rodrigo Duterte is currently facing prosecution at the ICC for alleged crimes committed during his “war on drugs.” South Africa and The Gambia have both previously threatened to leave the court, but ultimately reversed or halted their decisions.
All three withdrawing West African states, along with others who have considered leaving, claim the ICC is biased against African countries.
Additional sources: AP
