On 22 September, the states of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger jointly announced their immediate withdrawal from the ICC. They accused the court of selective justice. The three countries are led by military juntas and are part of the Alliance of Sahel States, formed after coups between 2020 and 2023. The decision signals a pivot away from traditional Western partners toward closer ties with Russia. The withdrawal process will take one year. Experts warn that the move could weaken international accountability for war crimes and human rights abuses, while increasing regional instability and operational risks