Niger Republic Officially Submits ICC Withdrawal Request

Niger Republic has officially submitted its request to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a significant step in the military-led government’s efforts to distance itself from Western-backed international institutions.

The Hague-based court confirmed on Tuesday that it had received an instrument of withdrawal from Niger on June 18.

The move comes nine months after Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso jointly announced plans to leave the court, accusing it of serving as an instrument of foreign influence.

According to the ICC, Niger’s withdrawal will formally take effect on June 18, 2027, in line with provisions governing the court’s founding treaty.

Until then, the country remains bound by its obligations as a member state.

The West African nation is currently governed by General Abdourahamane Tiani, whose administration came to power following a military coup.

Reacting to the development, the court expressed regret over Niger’s decision but acknowledged that states have the sovereign right to join or withdraw from international treaties.

“While joining or withdrawing from a treaty remains a sovereign right of States under international law, we regret any decision to depart from the collective effort to end impunity for the most serious international crimes,” the ICC said.

The court added that Niger would continue to be subject to its obligations until the withdrawal becomes effective.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced their intention to leave the ICC in September 2025.

The three military-led governments described the court as “an instrument of neo-colonial repression in the hands of imperialism.”

The countries have increasingly distanced themselves from Western allies and institutions following a series of coups between 2020 and 2023.

They have also strengthened cooperation through regional security and political alliances.

The three Sahel nations continue to battle insurgencies linked to extremist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

However, international rights organisations have also accused security forces in the region of committing abuses against civilians during counter-insurgency operations.

Naija News reports that ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and other grave international offences when national authorities are unwilling or unable to do so.

The court currently has 125 member states, although major powers including the United States, Russia, China and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute that created it.