JOINT COMMUNIQUE OF THE STATES OF THE AES CONFEDERATION RELATING TO THE WITHDRAWAL FROM THE ROME STATUTE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger have sovereignly ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on April 16, 2004, August 16, 2000, and April 11, 2002, respectively. Since their accession to the Rome Statute, the three countries have cooperated with the ICC not only on the basis of the relevant provisions of the Statute but also on the basis of agreements and protocols of concord concerning the conditions of installation and operation of the ICC on their territories.

However, over time, it has been observed that this jurisdiction has transformed into an instrument of neocolonial oppression in the hands of imperialism, thus becoming an example of selective Justice. In effect, the ICC has proven incapable of taking charge and judging war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression. While it observes an inexplicable, deviant, and compelling bias towards the perpetrators of such crimes, it remains silent against certain actors not belonging to the closed circle of beneficiaries of institutionalized international impunity, including in violation of its Statute.
In view of this situation, the Governments of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger, forming the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), bring to the attention of the confederate public opinion and the international community their sovereign decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court with immediate effect.

Confederation of Sahel States (AES)

This decision is inscribed in the firm will of the member states of the AES to fully affirm their sovereignty.
The member states of the AES decide to rely on endogenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice while reaffirming their will to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights in accordance with their societal values and to combat all forms of impunity.

The states of the AES Confederation, while expressing their gratitude to the United Nations and to the member states, reaffirm their commitment to continue cooperating in other appropriate frameworks for the promotion and protection of human rights and respect for the sovereignty of states. Done at Bamako, on 22 September 2025 General of the Army Assimi GOITA President of the Transition,
Head of State of the Republic of Mali
President of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES)