N'djamena: Chad's government has announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a significant shift in its international legal commitments. The announcement came through a statement from Chad's Foreign Ministry on Monday, notifying the United Nations Secretary-General of its intention to exit the Rome Statute, the foundational treaty of the ICC. According to Deutsche Welle, Chad is the fourth francophone African nation with a government closely linked to its military to make such a move within a year, following the exits of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in September. The ICC, established in 2002, is tasked with prosecuting individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Foreign Ministry outlined its reasons for the withdrawal, citing a comprehensive review of the ICC's operations and effectiveness since its inception. The Ministry criticized the court's uneven track record, particularly highlighting what it described as "undeniable and egregious selectiv ity" in its prosecutions. The statement pointed out that nine out of the 13 cases initiated by the ICC focused on African states, with only four involving other regions, and emphasized the lack of substantial progress in those cases. Furthermore, of the seven individuals detained through ICC investigations, only one was from outside Africa, underscoring a perceived bias towards cases from the Global South. Chad's Foreign Ministry called upon its fellow African Union members to consider similar actions, asserting that the decision does not abandon the moral imperative of delivering justice to victims. Instead, it reflects Chad's belief in the capabilities of national and African judicial systems to fulfill this mission effectively. The statement was signed by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ibrahim Adam Mahamat. Discussions about the ICC were also part of recent talks between a Chadian minister and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia Jr. Chad's Foreign Ministry reported that the U.S. had expressed concerns about the ICC's functionality and encouraged Chad to reevaluate its commitment to the Rome Statute. Chad confirmed that it would consider this request. The withdrawal coincides with recent controversies surrounding the ICC, including a vote to dismiss its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The U.S., which has never fully ratified the Rome Statute, has been critical of the ICC, especially following arrest warrants issued against Israeli leaders after Donald Trump's election victory in 2024. The current U.S. administration has shown skepticism towards both the ICC and the United Nations. Chad's decision also reflects its internal political dynamics, with the same family maintaining power for over 35 years, despite a nominally civilian government. Former President Idriss Deby, who ruled for more than 30 years, died in 2021 under contentious circumstances. His son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, assumed leadership of a transitional military council and later e xtended his mandate, leading to protests and political unrest. After a constitutional referendum, Mahamat Deby won the 2024 presidential election amid disputed results and subsequent political crackdowns. Chad continues to grapple with internal insurgencies and regional instability, sharing the withdrawal trend with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which are also under interim military rule following recent coups.
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