The Government of Chad announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing its limited and inconsistently applied effectiveness since the tribunal began operations in 2002. In an official statement, N’Djamena criticized the ICC’s focus on African nations, highlighting disparities in its pursuit of justice.

Of the 13 investigations launched since the ICC’s inception, nine targeted African countries, while only four addressed situations outside the continent—yet yielded no tangible progress, the statement emphasized. The government also pointed out that as of the announcement, only seven individuals remained in ICC custody, six of whom faced charges in African-related cases.

U.S. pressure behind the decision

Chad’s move follows a direct appeal from Washington. According to a statement issued by the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a senior U.S. diplomat urged N’Djamena to reconsider its ICC membership during a phone call with the country’s top diplomat.

The U.S. delegation expressed concerns about the court’s operations and requested a reassessment of Chad’s commitment to the Rome Statute. However, Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, denied that American pressure influenced the decision, asserting it was an independent sovereign choice.

Sudan conflict accusations loom over Chad

N’Djamena’s withdrawal comes amid accusations that Chad facilitated arms shipments from the United Arab Emirates to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been locked in a brutal civil war with Sudan’s military since April 2023. Both warring factions have faced repeated allegations of war crimes, including deliberate targeting of civilians and indiscriminate bombings of populated areas.

Vincent Brengarth, a French human rights lawyer involved in a 2025 complaint filed on behalf of NGOs, warned that Chad’s withdrawal could undermine ongoing accountability efforts. The complaint alleged complicity in international crimes linked to arms trafficking to the RSF. Brengarth cautioned that the move weakens the global framework for prosecuting grave crimes and risks emboldening perpetrators to evade justice.

Chad’s announcement coincides with Venezuela’s decision to leave the ICC as well. Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Felix Plasencia, cited a proven geographic bias that disproportionately targeted African and Latin American countries, sidelining other regions in the pursuit of accountability.