Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, three nations governed by military regimes, declared their intent to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday. They accused the ICC of serving "imperial" interests, aligning more with neo-colonialist agendas than with the principles of justice for African states.

The countries are part of the Alliance of Sahel States, a bloc that has seen its members increasingly critical of international institutions they perceive as biased. According to their joint declaration, the ICC has been labeled an "instrument of neo-colonialist repression," a stark criticism reflecting broader discontent with how global judicial bodies engage with African nations.

Withdrawal procedures are outlined under Article 127 of the Rome Statute, which requires a state party to submit a formal notification to the UN Secretary-General. The withdrawal will take effect one year after this notification is received, during which the countries are still subject to the jurisdiction of the ICC. The exact date of the formal withdrawal notification has not yet been announced.

The decision to leave the ICC follows a pattern of retraction from Western influenced agreements and institutions. In recent months, these nations have expelled French military forces, suspended participation in regional bodies, and sought closer ties with alternative partners like Russia. This shift comes amid a worsening security situation in the Sahel region, where escalating violence from extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS continues to destabilize the area.

Human rights organizations have raised alarms over the actions of state security forces in these countries, documenting serious abuses, including extrajudicial killings, in their counterterrorism efforts. The withdrawal from the ICC could complicate accountability for such violations, leaving fewer avenues for international oversight.

The move mirrors actions taken by other African nations, like Burundi, which withdrew from the ICC in 2017. South Africa and the Gambia have also previously flirted with withdrawal, citing similar concerns over the ICC’s focus and fairness, though they ultimately remained members.

This step marks a significant moment in the evolving relationship between African states and international judicial mechanisms, highlighting a growing desire for autonomy in judicial matters and a reevaluation of international alliances and commitments.