N'djamena: Chad's government has announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), as confirmed in a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry. The government has officially informed the United Nations Secretary General of its decision to exit the Rome Statute, the treaty underpinning the ICC.
According to Deutsche Welle, Chad becomes the fourth francophone African country with close military ties to take this step within a year, following Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, whose juntas coordinated their exit last September. The ICC, which prosecutes individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity, has been operational since 2002.
The Chadian Foreign Ministry explained its decision following a comprehensive review of the ICC's performance since its inception. The Ministry criticized the court's effectiveness as being limited and uneven across various regions. It also pointed out the court's prosecutorial record, which it described as demonstrating "undeniable and egregious selectivity." Of the 13 cases initiated by the ICC, nine involved African states, while only four targeted other regions, showing little progress. Moreover, of the seven individuals detained due to ICC investigations, only one was from outside Africa.
The Ministry contended that this reflects a persistent focus of the ICC on "the Global South in general and the African continent in particular." Chad has called upon other African Union members to consider a similar withdrawal. The statement, signed by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ibrahim Adam Mahamat, emphasized that Chad's decision does not negate the responsibility to provide justice to victims but rather expresses confidence in national and African judicial systems to fulfill this role.
In a related development, Chad's Foreign Ministry revealed that discussions with a U.S. official, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia Jr., included the topic of ICC membership. The U.S. expressed concerns about the ICC's functionality and encouraged Chad to reconsider its commitment to the Rome Statute. Chad acknowledged the request and stated it would be reviewed by relevant authorities.
The withdrawal coincides with recent developments, including a vote to dismiss ICC's chief prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual misconduct. The U.S., which has not ratified the Rome Statute, has become increasingly critical of the ICC, particularly after arrest warrants were issued against Israeli officials following Donald Trump's reelection in 2024. The Trump administration has shown skepticism towards both the ICC and the UN.
Chad's leadership structure, while officially civilian, remains heavily influenced by military ties. Former President Idriss Deby, who ruled for over 30 years, was succeeded by his son Mahamat Idriss Deby in 2021 following Deby's death. Mahamat Deby initially led a transitional military council before extending his mandate in 2022, a move met with violent protests and political unrest.
In 2024, after a constitutional referendum, Mahamat Deby won presidential elections with 60.1% of the vote, though results were contested by opposition groups. His main political rival, Succes Masra, was arrested in 2025 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Chad continues to grapple with a decade-long insurgency in the north, a refugee influx from Sudan, and internal unrest.
The withdrawal aligns Chad with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, all of which have interim military-led governments following recent coups.