MWE Correspondent
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is facing growing pressure after five countries moved to withdraw from the institution, raising concerns over the future of the global justice system.
Chad and Venezuela are the latest countries to announce plans to leave the ICC, joining Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which have also initiated withdrawal processes. The developments represent one of the most significant waves of withdrawals from the court since it was established in 2002.
The ICC’s Assembly of States Parties, which oversees the court, has urged Chad and Venezuela to reconsider their decisions and remain members of the Rome Statute. In a statement issued from The Hague, the Assembly expressed concern over the withdrawals and called on the two countries to address their grievances through dialogue within the institution rather than leaving.
Chad announced its decision to withdraw on July 27, 2026, arguing that the ICC’s record was uneven and disproportionately focused on African cases. Venezuela announced its decision several days earlier, with its government accusing the court of geographical bias against Africa and Latin America.
Also Read: ICC Struggles to Find New Prosecutor Amid Growing Pressure
The three Sahel countries—Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—announced their intention to withdraw in 2025 and formally notified their decisions in 2026. They have criticised the ICC as ineffective and accused it of disproportionately targeting less powerful countries.
The withdrawals have intensified an already difficult period for the Hague-based court, which is also facing pressure from the United States over its investigations and arrest warrants involving senior Israeli officials and other cases.
However, leaving the ICC does not take immediate effect. Under the Rome Statute, a country’s withdrawal generally takes one year after notification. It also does not automatically terminate proceedings or obligations that arose while the country was still a member.
The ICC has warned that continued withdrawals could weaken international efforts to combat impunity for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The latest developments have therefore renewed debate over the court’s effectiveness, its relationship with African states and whether the ICC can maintain broad international support amid increasing political pressure.
