International Criminal Court Urges Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to Remain in Rome Statute

The Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a statement urging Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to maintain their status as committed parties to the Rome Statute and to continue engaging constructively within the Assembly framework.

The presidency reiterated that all States Parties have the right to raise their concerns within the Assembly and encouraged Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to participate in a serious discussion on this matter, according to the statement.

In September 2025, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from the Rome Statute, asserting that the ICC had demonstrated its inability to investigate and prosecute confirmed cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and crimes of aggression.

The Rome Statute is the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court, the first permanent international criminal court worldwide. The treaty was adopted at a diplomatic conference in Rome on 17 July 1998 and entered into force on 1 July 2002 after ratification by 60 countries.