The Chadian government has officially announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing concerns over the court’s ‘limited and inconsistent’ effectiveness. The decision, outlined in a government spokesperson’s statement, reflects a thorough review of the ICC’s operations since its establishment in 2002.

According to N’Djamena, the ICC’s track record reveals a troubling disparity, with nine of the thirteen investigations launched since its inception targeting African nations. Only four investigations have been opened in other regions, and these have yielded no tangible results. ‘As of now, the ICC holds only seven detainees, six of whom are involved in African-related cases,’ the spokesperson emphasized.

U.S. pressures prompt reconsideration

The decision follows a recent communication from the U.S. State Department. During a phone call with Chad’s foreign minister, a senior U.S. official expressed reservations about the ICC’s functioning and urged Chad to reconsider its adherence to the Rome Statute. ‘The American side highlighted concerns about the institution’s operations and requested a reassessment of Chad’s ICC membership,’ the statement noted.

However, Chad’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul clarified that Washington’s concerns did not influence the decision. ‘This withdrawal is not a response to American demands,’ he asserted in an interview.

Sudan conflict casts shadow over withdrawal

Chad’s move comes as it faces allegations from Sudan’s military 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, with both sides accused of widespread war crimes, including deliberate attacks on civilians and indiscriminate bombings of populated areas.

‘This withdrawal jeopardizes ongoing efforts to address international crimes, including a 2025 complaint filed by NGOs regarding alleged complicity in crimes linked to arms shipments from the UAE to the RSF,’ commented French lawyer Vincent Brengarth. ‘More broadly, this decision weakens the global framework for international justice and risks allowing perpetrators of grave crimes to evade accountability,’ he added.

Chad’s withdrawal follows a similar announcement by Venezuela, whose foreign minister cited a ‘proven geographical bias’ that disproportionately targets African and Latin American countries at the expense of the Global South.