Parliamentarians in Africa and from around the world express profound concern following Niger’s notification, and subsequent notifications from Burkina Faso and Mali, of their withdrawals from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court submitted to the Secretary General of the United Nations.
This decision follows the joint announcement on 22 September 2025 by Sahel countries – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – of their intention to leave the Rome Statute system. Niger's withdrawal process was formally set in motion on 18 June 2026, when Niger officially deposited its written instrument of withdrawal to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. On 24 June 2026, Burkina Faso and Mali also deposited their instruments of withdrawal. In accordance with the Rome Statute, the withdrawal will take effect one year from that date (18 June and 24 June 2027 respectively). Until then, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso remain fully bound by all its obligations in the treaty, including to fully cooperate with the Court in its investigations and prosecutions.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso’s decisions inflict a serious wound on millions of victims and survivors. Should the withdrawals proceed, victims and survivors in the Sahel will be left without recourse from June 2027. African States played a pivotal role in establishing the International Criminal Court. The Court represents for many their only hope for justice and reparations. We must not destroy the very shield on which victims and survivors rely to obtain justice when national systems fail.
Hon. Christelle Vuanga, MP (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Convenor of the PGA International Law and Human Rights Program
Mali and Niger only partially incorporated the Rome Statute into domestic law, while Burkina Faso has not implemented the crime of aggression domestically. Consequently, the countries may lack the legal framework necessary to prosecute perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes or the crime of aggression. Withdrawals from the Rome Statute, therefore, severely jeopardize access to justice for potential victims and undermine the legal framework through which accountability can be pursued, representing a significant departure from obligations and commitments under international criminal law and the rule of law. The risk is particularly high, as the Sahel region continues to face armed conflicts and where serious alleged crimes against civilians have been reported.
The efficiency of the Rome Statute relies on universal ratification: any withdrawal undermines global progress in the fight against impunity. Investigating and prosecuting international crimes is essential to upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights, and fostering peace and democracy. It also hinders progress in international justice, for which African countries have been instrumental, exemplified by Sierra Leone’s leadership in proposing to amend the Rome Statute to close the impunity gap by including slavery and slave trade as a crime against humanity and war crimes.
Parliamentarians for Global Action urges:
- Members of the Consultative Council for Refoundation (CCR), Niger’s transitional parliamentary organ, Burkina Faso’s Transitional Legislative Assembly, and Mali’s Transitional National Council, to call on their governments to revoke the notification of withdrawal.
- Parliamentarians worldwide to call on Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to retract decisions to withdraw from the Rome Statute.
- ICC States Parties to intensify diplomatic efforts to urge Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to remain within the Rome Statute system.
