THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) 鈥� has formally left the International Criminal Court, accusing the judicial body in The Hague of selective justice.
The west African country submitted a letter to the United Nations on Monday, triggering the withdrawal process from the court鈥檚 foundational treaty, the Rome Statute.
鈥淲hile the court had raised great hopes among peoples who cherish peace and justice, it has been misused and exploited,鈥� the letter said.
last year that they would leave the court.
ousted Niger鈥檚 democratically elected government in 2023, since when a military junta has and has formed new alliances instead, including with Russia, where President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.
Mali and Burkina Faso have undergone similar transformations.
The ICC expressed disappointment at the departure. 鈥淲e regret any decision to depart from the collective effort to end impunity for the most serious international crimes,鈥� the court said in a statement.
Niger鈥檚 departure will make it the third country to leave the ICC after the Philippines and Burundi.
Its withdrawal will become effective 12 months after the receipt of the letter, but any crimes that occur before it officially leaves remain subject to the court鈥檚 jurisdiction.
Earlier this month, more than 30 people were killed when gunmen in Niger鈥檚 capital, Niamey. It was the second attack this year at the airport, a strategic hub that serves as the ruling military鈥檚 command, hosting its air force base and most of its drones and aircraft. It鈥檚 also the headquarters of the regional alliance that brings together troops from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
increasingly targeting cities and urban centers in Africa鈥檚 Sahel region.
Hungary last year but after Viktor Orb谩n was ousted as president in elections in April.
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