Niger has formally submitted its request to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a significant step in its break with international institutions that it and its regional allies have increasingly criticized as serving Western interests.
The ICC confirmed that it received Niger’s “instrument of withdrawal” on June 18, initiating a one-year process before the withdrawal becomes effective. Until then, Niger remains bound by its obligations under the court’s founding treaty.
The move comes nine months after Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso jointly announced their intention to leave the Hague-based tribunal, describing it as an “instrument of neo-colonialist repression” and rejecting its authority over their territories.
In a joint statement issued in September 2025, the three military-led Sahel states said they intended to establish “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice” in place of reliance on international judicial institutions.
The ICC, established in 2002, prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The court’s latest statement confirmed Niger’s withdrawal notification but made no reference to the status of Mali and Burkina Faso.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have been governed by military juntas following coups that brought soldiers to power in recent years. The three countries have since strengthened political and security cooperation, forming the Confederation of Sahel States after jointly withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The region continues to face a persistent insurgency by jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Human rights organizations have accused both armed groups and state security forces of committing abuses against civilians during counterinsurgency operations.
Relations between the Sahel governments and Western powers have deteriorated sharply in recent years. The three former French colonies have expelled or reduced the presence of Western military forces and have expanded ties with Russia, particularly in the security sector.
The ICC has been a frequent target of criticism from some African leaders, who argue that it disproportionately focuses on cases from the continent. Supporters of the court, however, maintain that it remains a critical institution for accountability in cases where national judicial systems are unable or unwilling to prosecute serious international crimes.
Niger will become the third country to leave the ICC after Burundi and the Philippines, once its withdrawal takes effect in June 2027.
