Niger has initiated its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, making it the third country to leave the organization after the Philippines and Burundi. In a letter submitted to the United Nations, the government accused the court of practicing selective justice and failing to meet expectations of fairness. The move follows announcements last year by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso that they will leave the ICC. However, Niger is the only one that has so far initiated its withdrawal. The ICC expressed regret over Niger’s decision, arguing that international cooperation remains essential to combating serious crimes. Although the withdrawal process will take a year to complete, the court will retain jurisdiction over crimes committed before the departure becomes effective. The decision reflects a broader geopolitical shift among several Sahel governments, which have increasingly strengthened ties with Russia while reducing engagement with traditional Western partners.
AP
