Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Chadian government announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, accusing the court of “clear selectivity” and an unbalanced focus on African countries, citing its limited effectiveness since its establishment in 2002. This decision follows reports that a U.S. official urged Chad to reconsider its membership in the court.
A spokesperson for the Chadian government stated that the decision came after an in-depth review of the court’s work and record, concluding that its effectiveness has remained “limited and inconsistent across different regions of the world.” He explained that N’Djamena has officially notified the United Nations Secretary-General of its decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court.
Criticism of Focus on Africa
The Chadian government criticized what it described as the court’s concentration of investigations in the African continent, arguing that the distribution of cases reflects double standards in addressing violations committed in various parts of the world. According to figures provided in the government statement, 9 out of 13 investigations opened by the court since its inception are related to African countries, compared to 4 investigations in other regions.
The statement added that 6 out of 7 individuals currently detained by the court are being prosecuted in cases linked to African situations. The court describes its cases as “situations under investigation,” which include countries and regions both within and outside Africa, while the initial focus on cases in the continent has been a recurring point of criticism from African governments.
“An Instrument of Domination and Neo-Colonialism”
The spokesperson stated that the Chadian decision is part of a “comprehensive African vision,” accusing the court of becoming “an instrument of domination and neo-colonialism.” N’Djamena emphasized that the withdrawal does not mean abandoning the fight against impunity, but rather reflects its rejection of what it sees as a selective application of international justice, without balanced accountability for crimes committed worldwide.
New Wave of Withdrawals
This Chadian step follows Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso’s formal notifications to the United Nations regarding their withdrawal from the Rome Statute system in June 2026. The withdrawal of these three countries will take effect one year after the United Nations receives the notification, unless they retract it beforehand.
Venezuela also informed the United Nations on July 24 of its decision to withdraw from the court, accusing it of geographical and political bias against countries in the Global South.
Burundi previously became the first member state to actually withdraw from the court in 2017, while South Africa and Gambia announced their intention to withdraw in 2016 before later reversing their decisions.
U.S. Pressure on the Court
The decision comes at a time when the court faces increasing pressure from the United States, which is not a member of the Rome Statute, due to its investigations and issued arrest warrants.
Washington welcomed Venezuela’s decision to begin the withdrawal and urged other countries to take similar steps, while reports indicated that a U.S. official urged the Chadian government to reconsider its membership in the court.
The court is also facing an internal crisis following the dismissal of its prosecutor, Karim Khan, amid efforts to select a successor, alongside U.S. moves aimed at undermining its work and exerting pressure on its officials.
