Chad has formally declared its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing concerns over its uneven effectiveness and limited impact. The announcement came in an official government statement issued Monday.

In the communiqué, N’Djamena highlighted its long-standing assessment of the ICC, particularly its disproportionate focus on African nations since its establishment in 2002. Of the 13 investigations launched over the years, nine have targeted African countries, while only four have addressed situations outside the continent—with little tangible progress in most cases, the government noted.

The statement also pointed out that, as of now, only seven individuals remain in ICC custody, six of whom are facing charges related to African conflicts.

U.S. pressures for reconsideration

According to a statement released Thursday by Chad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the withdrawal decision was made in response to a request from Washington. During a phone call earlier that week, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for African Affairs urged Chad’s top diplomat to reassess its commitment to the Rome Statute.

The American side expressed serious concerns about the ICC’s operational challenges and emphasized the need for Chad to reconsider its membership, the statement explained.

However, Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, clarified in a separate interview that the decision was not driven by U.S. pressure. He maintained that N’Djamena’s move was an independent policy choice based on its own evaluation of the court’s performance.

Ongoing scrutiny amid regional tensions

The withdrawal comes at a critical time, as Chad faces allegations from Sudan’s military and multiple human rights organizations. The accusations involve facilitating the transfer of weapons from the United Arab Emirates to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group engaged in a brutal civil war against Sudan’s armed forces since April 2023.

Vincent Brengarth, a French lawyer representing several NGOs, warned that Chad’s exit could undermine ongoing accountability efforts. He referenced a 2025 complaint filed on behalf of NGOs regarding alleged international crimes linked to arms trafficking to the RSF. The conflict in Sudan has drawn global condemnation for systematic attacks on civilians and indiscriminate bombings of populated areas.

Brengarth stressed that the move not only affects Chad’s specific case but also weakens the global framework for prosecuting grave crimes. He warned that such withdrawals could embolden perpetrators of the most serious offenses to evade justice.

Meanwhile, Venezuela announced its own withdrawal from the ICC on Friday, citing a perceived geographical bias that disproportionately targeted African and Latin American nations while neglecting other regions.