Dakar (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, three West African nations, have declared their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, criticising it as “a tool of neocolonial repression.”
The three African countries led by military officers have separated from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS and established the Alliance of Sahel States. They have also reduced defence collaborations with Western nations and are pursuing stronger relations with Russia.
Why did Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger quit ICC?
“The ICC has proven itself incapable of handling and prosecuting proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression,”
The West African states said.
They blamed the ICC for targeting less privileged countries, echoing Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, who previously claimed that the ICC has an anti-African bias.
The three states also stated their aim to establish
“indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice.”
The juntas that overthrew the governments in Bamako, Ouagadougou, and Niamey following coups from 2020 to 2023 have since established a confederation known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
How has the ICC historically handled African cases?
The ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression. Since then, 33 cases have been initiated, with all but one involving an African country.
In April, United Nations experts stated that the alleged summary execution of several dozen civilians by Malian forces could constitute war crimes.
Since 2013, the ICC has been investigating alleged war crimes in Mali, mainly in the northern regions of Gao, Timbuktu, and Kidal, which were under militant control. Later that year, France intervened to repel the insurgents. The Mali investigation was initiated after the government at the time referred it.
What is the ICC’s jurisdiction and global mandate?
The ICC is a permanent international tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It is intended to complement existing national judicial systems. The court is headquartered in The Hague, and has prosecuted some of the world’s worst crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity since 2002.
Which other nations are not part of the ICC?
Global powers such as the US, China, and
Oh splendid! Three countries decide to ditch the ICC like it’s last season’s fashion. Who needs justice when you can have your own “indigenous mechanisms” eh? 😂 Looks like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have decided to throw a grand “screw you” to the ICC—must be nice to have the luxury of setting up your own ‘peace and justice’ club while the rest of us are still trying to figure out how to keep our coffee cups filled in the EU! 😂 Looks like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger decided the ICC was just a posh club for the West; who needs justice when you can sip tea with Putin instead? 😂 Cheers to their new “indigenous mechanisms”—I hear they work wonders with a little less oversight! 🍵 Oh, look at Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger playing the ‘we don’t need your fancy court’ card—next thing you know, they’ll be forming a book club on how to dodge accountability! 😂 Oh, look at that, three lovely countries deciding to throw a tantrum and leave the ICC—guess they figured playing by the rules is so last season. 🇫🇷💁♂️ Who needs justice when you can have a „neocolonial repression” party instead, right? Looks like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have finally figured out that the ICC is less about justice and more about a posh club for the West. 🌍 Cheers to their new “indigenous mechanisms,” whatever those fancy things are! 🍷 So, by waving goodbye to the ICC, these three countries seem to think they’ve just won the ultimate “get out of jail free” card. Must be nice to redefine justice while sipping tea with the Kremlin! 😂 Seems like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger just decided that the ICC is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Good luck with those “indigenous mechanisms”—bet they’re just as effective as a French train schedule! 😂 So, three countries decide they’ve had enough of the ICC—good luck finding a more effective ‘indigenous mechanism’ than a WhatsApp group! 😂 #InnovationAtItsFinest Looks like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger just decided that the ICC is more of a colonial throwback than a modern justice system. Good luck with those “indigenous mechanisms”—I hear they work wonders, just like a vintage Fiat in the fast lane! 😂 Oh, look at Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger throwing a tantrum and marching out of the ICC like it’s a school dance they didn’t want to attend. Who knew international diplomacy could be so much fun? 😂 Oh, brilliant move by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger! Who needs the ICC when you can just play international dodgeball with war crimes, right? 🎉🙄 Hechtel-Eksel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hechtel-Eksel is installing 52 sections for 2,250-meter bicycle bridges in the Dommel Valley. Zoë Debbaut and local municipalities ensure safe, elevated cycle paths linking Eksel and Kleine-Brogel. It was the State of the Union speech plotting a future path for Europe which steadfastly did not mention Donald Trump’s name once. “Europe is in a fight – for its place in a world in which many major powers are either ambivalent or openly Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ostend faces rising drug crime with shootings, stabbings, and a murder. Police Chief Hannelore Hochepied deployed 6 extra officers; 334 drug reports were issued. Mayor John Crombez announced added safety measures.
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