The International Criminal Court has officially confirmed receipt of withdrawal notifications from the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These three West African nations, all members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have initiated the formal year-long process leading to their departure from the Rome Statute framework.

The decision follows their joint announcement in September 2025, when they jointly declared their intention to withdraw, criticizing the court as a “tool of neocolonial repression.” The ICC serves as the permanent judicial body for prosecuting war crimes globally, handling cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression when national courts are unable or unwilling to act.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Court’s governing body confirmed that all three Sahel nations had formally submitted their withdrawal documents and begun the one-year countdown to exit the Rome Statute’s jurisdiction. The ICC has urged the three African countries to maintain diplomatic engagement within the Assembly of States Parties to address their concerns regarding the treaty.