The Government of Chad has formally withdrawn from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a significant shift in its approach to international justice. In an official statement released on July 27, 2026, N’Djamena cited a « persistent imbalance in the Court’s operations », alleging that the ICC’s investigations disproportionately target African nations while neglecting other regions.

Chad’s decision, communicated to the United Nations Secretary-General as the depositary of the Rome Statute, follows Article 127 procedures for withdrawal. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Chadians Abroad emphasized that the move stems from a comprehensive review of the ICC’s performance since its establishment in 2002, concluding that its impact has fallen short of expectations.

Government officials highlighted ICC data from May 11, 2026, which reveals that out of 125 signatory states, 33 are African. Since its inception, the Court has initiated 13 investigations, with the majority focused on African countries. Specifically, « 9 of the active investigations involve African nations, compared to just 4 in other regions, with limited progress in the latter ». Furthermore, of the seven individuals currently detained by the ICC, « 6 are held in connection with African cases, while only one faces proceedings outside the continent ».

Chad’s leadership argues that these statistics reinforce widespread perceptions of a « one-sided judicial approach », accusing the ICC of « political manipulation » by concentrating its efforts on the Global South. In response, N’Djamena is urging the African Union and its member states to bolster continental judicial systems, advocating for a « fairer, more balanced, and credible justice framework » that respects national sovereignty.

Despite this withdrawal, Chad reaffirmed its commitment to combating impunity for the gravest crimes, asserting that African judicial institutions now possess the capacity to handle such cases independently.