Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to withdraw from ICC, cite 'repression'
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The withdrawal aligns with the three African nations' broader effort to resist neocolonial influence and solidify the Alliance of Sahel States' sovereignty.
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From left, Niger Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare, Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traore attend a joint news conference following a meeting of the Russian foreign minister with foreign ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, April 3, 2025 (AP)
In a move signaling deeper resistance to Western-dominated institutions, the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, otherwise known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have jointly declared their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This decision aligns with the broader political and strategic reorientation of the AES, an emerging bloc determined to consolidate regional sovereignty and dismantle lingering colonial influence.
The three nations issued a statement denouncing the ICC as an "instrument of neo-colonialist repression." The court, based in The Hague, has been criticized for its disproportionate focus on African states since its establishment in 2002. Of the 33 cases it has pursued, nearly all have involved African nations, reinforcing perceptions of judicial bias.
"The ICC has proven itself incapable of prosecuting clear cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression," the joint declaration read. The leaders also announced plans to establish indigenous mechanisms to uphold justice and promote peace, reaffirming their rejection of foreign-imposed legal structures.
The rise of the AES
This latest announcement is part of a sequence of coordinated exits from Western-backed institutions. In early 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger collectively departed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), criticizing its submission to France and its failure to adequately address the region's security crises. The withdrawal from ECOWAS formally took effect in January 2025.
The AES, formed under the Liptako-Gourma Charter signed in September 2023, has developed into a confederation with joint defense provisions. Its founding was marked by the declaration that an attack on one member state would be considered an attack on all, reflecting a unified security posture.
Military forces in all three AES countries have faced allegations of committing abuses during operations against armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. These accusations, often amplified by Western media and organizations, are viewed by the AES as part of a larger campaign to undermine their authority and justify foreign interference.
Strengthening strategic alliances beyond the West
The bloc has notably deepened its ties with Russia, which has supplied military equipment and support, particularly to Mali. This includes deliveries of warplanes, helicopters, and training, which have bolstered the state's efforts to regain territory from insurgents.
Russia has also partnered with Mali to construct what is set to be the largest solar power plant in West Africa, highlighting a pivot toward economic and defense diversification. In a similar vein, the AES has distanced itself from other multilateral bodies linked to France, including the G5 Sahel and the International Organisation of Francophonie.
