Niger has formally withdrawn from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the global tribunal of “selective justice” and saying it has been “misused and exploited,” according to a letter submitted to the United Nations on Monday.
The withdrawal begins a 12-month process under the Rome Statute, meaning Niger will remain bound by the court’s jurisdiction for alleged crimes committed before its exit becomes effective.
The decision places Niger alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, which announced last year that they also intend to leave the court following military takeovers that have reshaped alliances in the Sahel region, including closer ties with Russia.
In its withdrawal letter, Niger said: “While the court had raised great hopes among peoples who cherish peace and justice, it has been misused and exploited.”
The ICC responded with disappointment, stressing its continued mission to prosecute the world’s most serious crimes.
The court said: “We regret any decision to depart from the collective effort to end impunity for the most serious international crimes.”
Niger’s exit marks the third departure from the ICC after the Philippines and Burundi, and comes amid worsening insecurity in the country, where armed groups have increasingly targeted urban areas, including repeated attacks around Niamey’s airport.
Earlier this month, more than 30 people were killed in an attack on the capital’s main airport, a key military and drone hub for Niger’s ruling junta and its regional partners in Mali and Burkina Faso.
The ICC said Niger’s withdrawal will not affect ongoing or past cases within its jurisdiction during the 12-month transition period.
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