Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are preparing to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and establish a regional justice system tailored to their security and political context.
The move, reported by French media and confirmed by sources in Niamey, follows a summit of justice ministers from the three countries.
Niger’s interim Prime Minister described the ICC as “a tool of repression against African countries, serving those who uphold the imperialist order to crush any aspiration for emancipation.” A Malian source added that withdrawal documents are finalized, with a formal announcement expected soon.
The three nations are planning to launch a Sahelian Criminal Court for Human Rights. Its jurisdiction would extend beyond genocide and war crimes to include organized crime and terrorism, which remain pressing threats across the region.
Plans also include the establishment of a high-security prison to handle convicts from these prosecutions.
Supporters of the initiative frame it as a step toward sovereignty and regional solutions, while critics warn it risks weakening international accountability mechanisms.
This signals a major rupture with The Hague and positions the Sahel trio to chart their own legal response to crimes threatening stability in West Africa.
