The United States has urged Nigeria and other African countries to reconsider their membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC), praising Chad’s decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute as a step toward protecting national sovereignty. The appeal reflects the Trump administration’s long-standing criticism of the Hague-based court, which it accuses of pursuing politically motivated investigations, including cases involving US allies such as Israel. Nigeria, which remains an ICC member, has not indicated any intention to withdraw and has yet to respond officially. Washington’s move risks undermining the ICC’s influence, especially if additional African states leave the treaty. However, the broader debate centers on whether international accountability or state sovereignty should prevail, a debate that could reshape Africa’s relationship with global justice institutions over the coming years.
Nairametrics