The Government of Chad has formally announced its withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). In an official statement released on July 27, 2026, N’Djamena criticized the court’s « undeniable selectivity », alleging it disproportionately targets African nations while failing to address alleged crimes elsewhere with equal urgency.
On the same day, Chad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Chadians Abroad submitted its withdrawal notice to the United Nations Secretary-General, the designated custodian of the Rome Statute. The decision follows a comprehensive review of the ICC’s performance since its establishment in 2002, which the government described as « limited in scope and inconsistent in application » relative to its founding objectives.
To substantiate its claims, the Chadian government referenced ICC statistics updated as of May 11, 2026. Of the 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute, 33 are African. Since its inception, the ICC has opened 13 investigations—nine of which pertain to African countries, while only four involve non-African situations. Notably, six of the seven individuals currently detained by the court are facing proceedings related to African cases, with just one case originating outside the continent.
The Chadian authorities argue that these figures reinforce a « widely held perception » of the ICC’s « persistent focus on the Global South, particularly Africa », and suggest a « politically motivated pattern of enforcement » rather than a commitment to universal justice. The government has called on the African Union and its member states to bolster continental judicial mechanisms, advocating for a « more equitable, balanced, and credible African justice system » that upholds national sovereignty.
Despite this withdrawal, Chad reaffirmed its « unwavering commitment to combating impunity for the gravest crimes », asserting that African judicial systems and regional institutions now possess the capacity to address such cases independently and effectively.
