Africa and the ICC: Why most countries are staying
A new wave of African withdrawals has swept through the International Criminal Court. Chad turned its back on the court after three junta-led states in the Sahel exited. But most African countries still trust The Hague.
Since its creation in 2002, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has aimed to combat war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. However, Africa has often faced criticism for being unfairly targeted by the court. Recently, this criticism has intensified, resulting in several African countries withdrawing from the ICC.
Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have recently announced their withdrawal, citing the ICC as a neocolonial tool of the West. The court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has also been accused of sexual misconduct and faces allegations of wrongdoing. Despite the withdrawals, many African countries remain members of the ICC, demonstrating their commitment to international justice.
The remaining African states believe that accountability for atrocities should not be based on politics or power. Human rights organizations have condemned the withdrawals, emphasizing that the ICC remains an essential tool for victims of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.
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