Chad withdraws from the international criminal court amid criticism
N’Djamena cites the court’s limited and uneven effectiveness as the primary reason for its withdrawal.
The government of Chad announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, citing the court’s limited and inconsistent effectiveness in a statement released by the cabinet’s spokesperson.
In its communiqué, the Chadian administration highlighted that since the court’s establishment in 2002, its track record has been uneven at best, with a disproportionate focus on African nations. Of the thirteen investigations launched since the court’s inception, nine have targeted African states, while only four have been opened in other regions—with little to no tangible progress.
The spokesperson also pointed out that as of now, the court holds only seven detainees, six of whom are facing charges related to African cases.
Pressure from the United States
A separate statement released by Chad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that Washington had urged N’Djamena to reconsider its membership in the court during a recent diplomatic exchange.
During a phone call between the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and Chad’s top diplomat, American officials raised concerns about the court’s operations and pressed for a reevaluation of Chad’s commitment to the Rome Statute.
However, Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, clarified that the decision to withdraw was not driven by U.S. pressure but was instead an independent assessment by N’Djamena.
Under scrutiny for alleged arms trafficking
Chad’s withdrawal comes at a critical time, as the country faces accusations from Sudan’s military and several human rights organizations of facilitating arms shipments from the United Arab Emirates to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has been engaged in a brutal civil war against Sudan’s military since April 2023.
Vincent Brengarth, a French attorney involved in international justice cases, warned that Chad’s move could undermine ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable. He noted that in 2025, NGOs filed a complaint regarding alleged international crimes linked to arms trafficking from the UAE to the RSF, a case that could now face additional challenges.
Both warring factions in Sudan have been repeatedly accused by the international community of committing war crimes, including deliberate attacks on civilians and indiscriminate bombings of populated areas.
Brengarth added that Chad’s withdrawal further weakens the global framework for international justice and raises concerns that perpetrators of grave crimes may evade accountability.
The previous day, Venezuela also announced its exit from the ICC, with its Foreign Minister, Felix Plasencia, citing a geographical bias that disproportionately targeted African and Latin American countries while neglecting other regions.