In a landmark decision, the government of Chad has formally withdrawn from the International Criminal Court (ICC) after years of scrutinizing its operations. Announced through an official statement, N’Djamena cited the court’s uneven application of justice, particularly its perceived disproportionate focus on African nations as the primary reason behind this move.
The withdrawal process was initiated on July 27, 2026, when Chad notified the United Nations Secretary-General—the designated depository of the Rome Statute—of its sovereign choice to leave the ICC, in strict compliance with Article 127 of the treaty.
In the detailed explanation accompanying the announcement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Chadians Abroad emphasized that this decision followed a thorough evaluation of the ICC’s performance since its inception in 2002. The government concluded that the court’s effectiveness had fallen short of expectations, describing its approach as inconsistent and skewed in delivering justice.
The statement referenced the latest ICC statistics, updated as of May 11, 2026, to support its stance. Of the 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute, 33 are African. Since its establishment, the court has initiated 13 investigations, with the majority centered on African countries.
According to the government’s analysis, nine out of the active investigations involve African states, while only four have been opened in other regions, with limited progress reported. Additionally, the document highlighted that six of the seven individuals currently detained by the ICC face charges related to situations in Africa, compared to just one case outside the continent.
The Chadian authorities framed these figures as evidence of a persistent imbalance in the court’s judicial focus, arguing that such trends reinforce the perception of a politically driven agenda targeting the Global South. They condemned what they described as an attempt to instrumentalize international justice for purposes beyond its stated mission.
In response, Chad urged the African Union and its member states to prioritize the strengthening of continental judicial mechanisms. The goal, as outlined in the statement, is to foster a justice system that is fairer, more balanced, and more credible, while fully respecting the sovereignty of African nations.
Despite this withdrawal, the Chadian government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating impunity for the most serious crimes. Officials expressed confidence in the growing capacity of national and regional courts to handle such cases effectively, ensuring that justice remains both accessible and impartial.
