Chad announces intent to withdraw from International Criminal Court
Chad has initiated the process to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing bias and ineffectiveness. This move follows similar withdrawals by other African nations and aligns with a broader U.S.-backed campaign against the court's jurisdiction.
Why it matters
The withdrawal of multiple African nations from the ICC signals a significant shift in international legal cooperation and challenges the court's global authority.
Chad announced plans on Monday (July 27, 2026) to withdraw from the International Criminal Court , accusing the judicial body of ineffectiveness and bias against African countries.
The West African country submitted a letter to the United Nations to begin withdrawing from the Court, which was established to prosecute people responsible for humanity's worst crimes under its foundational treaty, the Rome Statute . The withdrawal process takes at least a year.
Chad was the fourth African country since 2025 to begin withdrawing from the ICC. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced last year they would stop participating with the Court based in The Hague. The Court is already facing daunting challenges, including the removal of its Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, over sexual misconduct allegations.
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