Chad has announced plans to begin withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying the court has shown limited effectiveness and applied international justice unevenly. The government made the announcement on Monday after reviewing the court’s performance since it started operating in 2002. The planned exit from the International Criminal Court would make Chad the latest nation to seek withdrawal from the Hague-based tribunal. According to the government, the International Criminal Court has not delivered justice consistently across different regions.
“This decision is the result of an in-depth review of the functioning of the International Criminal Court since it began operating in 2002, as well as its record whose effectiveness remains limited and uneven across different regions,” the spokesman said in a statement.
Under the Rome Statute, Chad must formally notify the United Nations Secretary-General before its withdrawal can take effect. The process will become official one year after notification, although any investigations or legal proceedings already underway can continue. Chad signed the Rome Statute in 1999 and ratified it in 2006.
The announcement comes as several African and Sahel countries continue to question the International Criminal Court, arguing that it has focused too heavily on Africa while failing to pursue allegations involving more powerful nations with the same determination. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have also declared plans to withdraw from the treaty, citing concerns over selective justice and foreign influence.
Analysts believe concerns over national sovereignty and domestic judicial authority may also have shaped Chad’s decision, especially as the country continues to confront security threats and political challenges.
If completed, Chad will join countries including Burundi and the Philippines, which have officially left the court, while South Africa, The Gambia and Hungary have also attempted or initiated withdrawal processes under different circumstances.
Human rights groups have warned that more withdrawals could weaken international accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, supporters argue that African nations should strengthen their own legal systems and regional institutions rather than rely on an international court they believe applies justice inconsistently.
Chad will remain a full member of the International Criminal Court until the one-year withdrawal period ends and must continue meeting its obligations under the Rome Statute during that time.
Do you think Chad’s planned withdrawal could influence more African countries to reconsider their membership of the ICC?
