Declaring that they no longer acknowledge the International Criminal Court's (ICC) jurisdiction, the West African nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have declared their intention to leave the court.  

The court was accused by the three military-led nations of acting as a "instrument of neo-colonialist repression" and of arbitrarily prosecuting war crimes.  In keeping with their ideals, they underlined their dedication to protecting human rights.  

The three nations had previously invoked the same defense in support of their exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In addition to atrocities committed by the militant groups themselves, human rights organizations and UN experts have charged the armed forces and affiliated militias of Mali and Burkina Faso with committing war crimes during operations against Islamist militias.  

Investigations are being conducted, according to national authorities, but none have produced any findings that the public has seen yet.  

Since 2002, the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) has been prosecuting the most serious crimes, including crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.

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