The government of Chad has formally announced its withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). In an official statement released on July 27, 2026, N’Djamena cited the court’s « undeniable selectivity » in targeting primarily African nations as the driving force behind this sovereign decision.
On the same day, Chad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Chadians Abroad officially notified the United Nations Secretary-General—who serves as the depository of the Rome Statute—of its intention to exit the ICC under Article 127 of the Statute.
The government explained this move as the result of a thorough review of the ICC’s performance since its establishment in 2002. Authorities argued that the court’s « limited and inconsistent effectiveness » has fallen short of the high expectations set at its inception.
To support its stance, N’Djamena referenced ICC statistics updated as of May 11, 2026. Out of 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute, 33 are African. Since its creation, the court has opened 13 investigations, with a disproportionate number targeting African countries. Specifically, « 9 of the situations under investigation are in African states, compared to just 4 in other regions with limited progress ».
The statement also highlighted that, as of that date, « 6 of the 7 individuals detained by the court are facing charges in African-related cases, while only one case involves a situation outside the continent ». Authorities emphasized that these figures reinforce a « widely held perception of a sustained judicial focus on the Global South—and Africa in particular—raising concerns of political instrumentalization ».
In light of this imbalance, Chad’s leadership is urging the African Union and its member states to bolster continental judicial mechanisms. The goal is to foster « a more equitable, balanced, credible, and effective African justice system » that upholds state sovereignty while combating impunity for grave crimes.
Despite this withdrawal, N’Djamena reaffirmed its « unwavering commitment to fighting impunity for the most serious crimes », asserting that national courts and African judicial bodies now possess the growing capacity to fulfill this critical role.
