Amnesty International has expressed concern over the decision by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from the International Criminal Court through the Rome Statute, warning that the move could deepen impunity and deny victims of serious crimes access to justice.
The rights organisation said the decision by the three military-led governments could undermine efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable and deprive victims of reparations.
According to Amnesty International, it has documented for more than a decade numerous violations of international law committed against civilians during conflicts in the three countries, many of which fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC.
Its Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Marceau Sivieude, described the withdrawal as a major setback, arguing that it reflects a retreat from international legal obligations and commitments to justice.
Sivieude noted that Amnesty International has consistently urged Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to strengthen their domestic judicial systems to ensure the effective investigation, prosecution, and fair trial of those responsible for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
The organisation warned that pulling out of the Rome Statute could further endanger civilians while reinforcing a culture of impunity for crimes committed under international law.
Reacting to the development, the ICC Presidency said the decision risks weakening global efforts to combat impunity and could undermine the international community’s collective pursuit of justice.
However, the court clarified that withdrawing from the Rome Statute does not exempt the three countries from obligations relating to events that occurred while they were still parties to the treaty.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger first announced their intention to leave the Rome Statute in September 2025 before submitting their formal notices of withdrawal to the United Nations between June 18 and 24, 2026.
ALSO READ: Amnesty International Nigeria Condemns Katsina Mob Action, Insists on Rule of Law
BACKSTORY:
The decision by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from the Rome Statute comes amid growing tensions between the military-led governments in the three Sahel countries and several international institutions. Since seizing power through military coups, the countries have increasingly distanced themselves from regional and global organisations, arguing that such bodies undermine their sovereignty. In September 2025, the three governments announced plans to leave the International Criminal Court, accusing the court of bias and selective justice. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have opposed the move, warning that it could weaken accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations committed during years of armed conflict in the region.
