Chad Moves To Leave International Criminal Court, Citing Bias Against Africa

Chad has notified the United Nations of its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the court of disproportionately targeting African countries. The decision follows similar moves by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and comes amid growing criticism of the ICC. Chad also said the United States had previously encouraged it to reconsider its membership. The move could further deepen tensions between the ICC and African governments.

Chad has notified the United Nations of its intention to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), becoming the latest African country with close military ties to take steps away from the court.
Chad's Foreign Ministry announced the decision on Monday, saying the government had conducted an extensive review of the ICC's record since the court began operating in 2002.
The ministry accused the court of being selective in the cases it pursues, arguing that its investigations and prosecutions have disproportionately focused on Africa and other parts of the Global South.
Chad also called on other African Union members to consider following its example.

WHY CHAD IS LEAVING THE ICC

The Chadian government said its decision was based on what it described as the ICC's limited and uneven effectiveness.
According to the Foreign Ministry, nine of the court's 13 investigations have involved African countries, while only four have concerned situations outside Africa.
The ministry also said that of seven people detained as a result of ICC investigations, only one came from a case outside the African continent.
Chad argued that the figures demonstrated a persistent concentration of the court's activities on Africa.
"This irrevocable decision by Chad in no way constitutes a renunciation of the moral imperative to provide justice to victims," the ministry said, arguing instead that national courts and African judicial institutions were capable of delivering justice.
The government did not, however, provide details on how or when the withdrawal process would be completed.

CHAD FOLLOWS BURKINA FASO, MALI AND NIGER

Chad's announcement follows a broader backlash against the ICC among several African governments.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, all ruled by military juntas, announced their coordinated withdrawal from the Rome Statute last September.
The four countries are part of a wider political shift in parts of West and Central Africa, where military-led governments have increasingly challenged traditional relationships with Western institutions.
The governments of the three Sahel countries have also reduced their military and diplomatic cooperation with former colonial power France while strengthening ties with other international partners.
Chad, however, remains different from its neighbours in that it now has a nominally civilian government, although the country's political leadership remains closely linked to the military.

US PRESSURE ALSO RAISES QUESTIONS

Chad's withdrawal announcement came shortly after the government revealed that the United States had encouraged it to reconsider its membership of the ICC.
According to Chad's Foreign Ministry, the issue was raised during talks between a Chadian minister and US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia Jr.
The Chadian government said the US side expressed concerns about the court's effectiveness and asked Chad to reconsider its commitment to the Rome Statute.
Chad said the request would be examined by the relevant authorities.
The development is significant because the United States has never ratified the Rome Statute and is therefore not a full member of the ICC.
Washington's relationship with the court has also become increasingly tense, particularly following the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has been openly critical of the ICC and has also expressed broader criticism of international institutions, including the United Nations.

ICC FACES ITS OWN INTERNAL TURMOIL

Chad's decision also comes at a difficult moment for the International Criminal Court.
The announcement coincided with the recent removal of ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct.
The development has added to questions about the court's leadership and credibility at a time when it is already facing criticism from several governments.
However, supporters of the ICC argue that the court remains an important institution for prosecuting individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity when national courts are unable or unwilling to act.

A COUNTRY WITH A LONG MILITARY HISTORY

Chad's decision cannot be separated from its own political history.
The country has been dominated by a political family with strong military connections for more than three decades.
Former President Idriss Deby came to power through a military coup in 1990 and remained in office for more than 30 years.
He died in April 2021 after reportedly travelling to the front lines to fight an armed insurgency in the north, shortly after authorities announced that he had won a sixth presidential term in an election disputed by opponents.
His son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, was subsequently appointed head of a transitional military council.
The younger Deby later became president following elections in 2024, winning about 60% of the vote. His main permitted challenger, former prime minister Succes Masra, disputed the result.
Masra was later arrested in May 2025 following deadly clashes and was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison after being accused of inciting violence.

CHAD STILL FACES SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGES

Chad continues to face serious security pressures.
An insurgency has affected the northern part of the country for years, while armed groups with rear bases in southern Libya remain a security concern.
The country has also received large numbers of refugees fleeing the war in neighbouring Sudan, placing additional pressure on already limited resources.
Domestic political tensions and economic difficulties have further complicated efforts to maintain stability.

WHAT CHAD'S WITHDRAWAL COULD MEAN

Chad's planned withdrawal could deepen the growing divide between the ICC and several African governments.
Critics of the court have long accused it of disproportionately targeting African leaders, while supporters argue that the ICC has pursued cases based on where serious international crimes have occurred rather than on political or regional bias.
The withdrawal of another African country could therefore intensify the debate over whether the ICC needs to reform its approach to Africa and strengthen cooperation with regional justice institutions.
For Chad, the decision represents a clear statement of sovereignty and dissatisfaction with the court's record.
For the ICC, however, it is another challenge to its authority at a time when it is already facing political pressure, leadership controversy and questions about its future role in international justice.