Chad has officially declared its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing concerns over the court’s ‘limited and inconsistent’ effectiveness. The announcement came in a government communiqué released on Monday, following a thorough review of the ICC’s operations since its establishment in 2002.

The Chadian government highlighted what it described as a disproportionate focus on African nations, noting that out of the thirteen investigations launched by the ICC since its inception, nine have targeted African states—yielding minimal tangible results. As of the same date, only seven individuals remain in custody, with six of those detained in connection with African cases.

The statement underscored the court’s perceived imbalance: «While the ICC has opened nine investigations into African states, only four have been initiated elsewhere, without meaningful progress,» the government spokesperson emphasized.

US pressures reconsideration

The decision follows a direct appeal from the United States. On Thursday, a US official communicated concerns about the ICC’s functioning during a phone call with Chad’s foreign minister, urging a reassessment of its adherence to the Rome Statute. The communiqué summarizing the discussion noted Washington’s call for a review of Chad’s ICC membership.

However, Chad’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul swiftly clarified that the withdrawal was not prompted by American pressure. «This is not a decision made at the request of the Americans,» he stated in a press briefing on Friday.

Sudan conflict allegations

Chad’s move comes at a critical juncture, as it faces accusations from Sudanese military officials and multiple NGOs of facilitating arms shipments from the United Arab Emirates to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has been engaged in a brutal civil war against Sudan’s army since April 2023, a conflict marked by widespread international condemnation of war crimes, including deliberate civilian targeting and indiscriminate bombings of populated areas.

French human rights lawyer Vincent Brengarth expressed deep concern over Chad’s withdrawal, warning it could undermine ongoing justice efforts. «This decision jeopardizes the success of initiatives like the 2025 complaint filed by NGOs regarding alleged international crimes, including arms trafficking from the UAE to the RSF,» he noted.

Brengarth further cautioned that the withdrawal weakens the global framework for prosecuting grave crimes, raising fears that perpetrators may evade accountability. Earlier this week, Venezuela also announced its departure from the ICC, with its foreign minister, Felix Plasencia, citing a «proven geographic bias» that disproportionately targets African and Latin American countries at the expense of the Global South.