Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of being a “neo-colonial” body.
The decision was made public in a joint statement on Monday by the military-led governments of the three Sahel nations.
According to the three West African Countries, the ICC has failed in its duty to prosecute war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. However, they stated the court functions “as an instrument of neo-colonialist repression in the hands of imperialism.”
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the three countries have in recent years moved closer under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Since then, the governments have adopted a firm anti-Western stance, particularly against France.
The leaders also disclosed plans to create “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice” to replace the ICC framework.
Recall that earlier this year in January, the three Sahel states jointly announced their exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), accusing the regional bloc of being manipulated by external powers.
