Chad exits ICC amid accusations of biased justice

The Government of Chad has formally declared its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) Statute. In an official statement released on July 27, 2026, N’Djamena criticized the international jurisdiction for what it described as « undeniable selectivity », particularly targeting African nations.

According to the statement, Chad’s decision was communicated to the United Nations Secretary-General, the depository of the Rome Statute, in strict compliance with Article 127 of the treaty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Chadians Abroad emphasized that this move followed « a thorough review of the ICC’s operations since its inception in 2002 », concluding that its effectiveness had fallen short of expectations.

Chad’s position is reinforced by recent ICC statistics, as of May 11, 2026. Out of 125 State Parties to the Rome Statute, 33 are African nations. Since its establishment, the Court has initiated 13 investigations, with a significant majority focused on African countries.

The statement highlights that « nine of the ongoing investigations pertain to African States, compared to just four in other regions with limited progress ». Additionally, « six of the seven individuals held in custody by the Court are facing charges in African-related cases, while only one is linked to a non-African situation ». These figures, according to N’Djamena, underscore a « persistent perception of a judicial focus on the Global South, particularly Africa », fueling accusations of political manipulation.

In response, Chadian authorities urge the African Union and its member states to bolster continental judicial mechanisms, advocating for « a more equitable, balanced, credible, and effective African justice system » that respects national sovereignty. While reaffirming its commitment to combating impunity for grave crimes, the government asserts that national and regional courts now possess the capacity to fulfill this role effectively.