Niger has formally withdrawn from the International Criminal Court, becoming the third country to leave the global judicial body after the Philippines and Burundi.
The West African nation submitted a letter to the United Nations on Monday, triggering a withdrawal process from the court’s foundational treaty, the Rome Statute. In the letter, Niger’s military junta accused the Hague-based court of selective justice, stating that while the court had raised great hopes among peoples who cherish peace and justice, it has been misused and exploited.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced last year that they would leave the court. The three Sahel nations, all under military rule following coups, have abandoned longtime Western partners and formed new alliances, including with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin faces an ICC arrest warrant over the war in Ukraine.
The ICC expressed disappointment at Niger’s departure. “We regret any decision to depart from the collective effort to end impunity for the most serious international crimes,” the court said in a statement.
Niger’s withdrawal will become effective 12 months after the UN received the letter. However, any crimes committed before the official departure remain subject to the court’s jurisdiction.
The move comes amid escalating violence in the Sahel region. Earlier this month, more than 30 people were killed when gunmen attacked the main airport in Niger’s capital, Niamey. It was the second attack this year at the strategic hub, which serves as the ruling military’s command and hosts its air force base, most of its drones and aircraft, and is also the headquarters of the regional alliance bringing together troops from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Hungary moved to leave the ICC last year but reversed course after Viktor Orban was ousted as president in elections in April.
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