Chad Begins Process to Withdraw From ICC

Chad has announced plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying the Hague-based tribunal has disproportionately focused on African countries and failed to deliver justice in an equitable manner.

The government said the decision followed a review of the court’s record since it began operations in 2002, describing its overall performance as limited and uneven. In a statement, officials argued that the pattern of investigations and prosecutions had raised concerns about the court’s consistency and impartiality.

According to the Chadian government, nine of the ICC’s 13 formal investigations have involved African countries, while cases outside the continent have made comparatively limited progress. It also said six of the seven people currently in the court’s custody are connected to African cases, a situation it believes reinforces long-standing concerns over the tribunal’s focus.

The announcement makes Chad the latest country to begin the withdrawal process after Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Venezuela. Earlier this month, the ICC’s governing body expressed concern over the growing number of member states considering or pursuing withdrawal from the court.

The decision also comes days after ICC member states voted to dismiss Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan has denied the allegations and said he intends to challenge the decision through legal channels.

Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul said Chad reached its decision independently despite recent discussions with the United States, which had urged the country to remain a member of the court. Chad has not indicated when the withdrawal process is expected to be completed.

SOURCE: AFP