Chad has formally announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing its “limited and uneven” effectiveness. The decision was revealed in an official government statement issued on Monday.

The government emphasized that this move follows a thorough assessment of the court’s performance since its inception in 2002, highlighting what it described as a disproportionate focus on African states. Of the thirteen investigations launched by the ICC since its establishment, nine have targeted African nations, while only four have addressed situations outside the continent—and none have seen tangible progress, according to N’Djamena.

“As of today, the ICC holds only seven detainees, six of whom are facing charges in African cases,” the government spokesperson noted, underscoring the court’s alleged imbalance.

U.S. pressure behind the decision

State Department records indicate that Washington had urged N’Djamena to reconsider its ICC membership during a high-level diplomatic exchange last week. The American delegation expressed concerns over the court’s operations and formally requested a reassessment of Chad’s adherence to the Rome Statute.

However, Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, denied that U.S. intervention played a role in the decision. “This withdrawal is not a response to American demands,” he clarified in remarks to the press.

Sudan conflict complicates matters

Chad’s announcement comes at a sensitive time, as it faces accusations from Sudanese military officials and international NGOs of facilitating arms shipments from the United Arab Emirates to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has been locked in a brutal civil war with Sudan’s army since April 2023, a conflict marked by widespread allegations of war crimes, including indiscriminate airstrikes and civilian targeting.

French human rights lawyer Vincent Brengarth condemned Chad’s decision, warning that it could undermine ongoing legal efforts. “This move jeopardizes critical initiatives, including a 2025 complaint filed by NGOs regarding alleged complicity in international crimes tied to arms trafficking from the UAE to the RSF,” he stated. “Beyond this case, Chad’s withdrawal weakens the global justice system and risks allowing perpetrators of the gravest crimes to evade accountability.”

Meanwhile, Venezuela also declared its exit from the ICC on Friday, with its foreign minister citing a “clear geographical bias” that disproportionately scrutinizes African and Latin American nations while neglecting other regions.