The International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially acknowledged the receipt of withdrawal notifications from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These notifications mark a significant step for the three West African nations.

As key members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), these three West African nations have now formally initiated the year-long process to withdraw their membership from the International Criminal Court. This move follows their initial declaration in September 2025, where they critically labeled the ICC as an “instrument of neocolonial repression.”

The International Criminal Court functions as the world’s standing tribunal dedicated to prosecuting individuals accused of severe international offenses. Its mandate covers genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression, particularly when domestic legal systems are unwilling or unable to act effectively.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the presidency of the ICC’s governing body confirmed that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger had indeed submitted their formal letters of withdrawal. This action officially commences the twelve-month period leading to their full departure from the Rome Statute, the foundational treaty that established the International Criminal Court.

Despite these developments, the ICC has extended an invitation to the three African states, encouraging them to engage in continued dialogue within the Assembly of States Parties. This platform offers an avenue for them to articulate any specific concerns they may hold regarding the Rome Statute.