The countries of the Sahel Alliance officially withdraw from the ICC

The Minister of Communications announced on Monday, September 22, 2025, the withdrawal of the AES countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger) from the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to the joint statement, this decision follows observations on breaches of the Rome Statute governing the ICC.

"(...) Over time, they have been able to see that this jurisdiction has been transformed into an instrument of neocolonial repression in the hands of imperialism, thus becoming a global example of selective justice," said the minister and government spokesperson, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo.

He explained that proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide and crimes of aggression have remained unpunished by the ICC, while it "targets certain actors who do not fall within the closed circle of beneficiaries of institutionalized international impunity," in violation of its statute.

Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo clarified that this withdrawal from the Rome Statute and the ICC is with "immediate effect." "This decision is part of the stated desire of the ESA member states to fully assert their sovereignty," the minister declared.

He also added that the three countries intend to rely on "endogenous mechanisms for peace consolidation."