The Alliance of Sahel, a new group that consist of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their immediate departure from the United Nations-backed International Criminal Court (ICC) calling it an “instrument of neo-colonialist repression”.

A move that their citizens has welcomed, framing it as a step towards full independence.

The three military junta-led states created the alliance in 2023 and have since grown increasingly isolated from the West and drawn closer to countries such as Russia.

Their armies have faced accusations of crimes against civilians, as violence has escalated in the region against jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

While supporters in Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou have hailed the withdrawal from the ICC, international observers say it may reduce avenues for prosecuting these crimes.

The court was set up in 2002 to legally pursue cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression.