The government of Chad has formally withdrawn from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a significant shift in the country’s stance on international justice. In an official statement released on July 27, 2026, N’Djamena cited the court’s alleged inconsistent application of justice, particularly its perceived bias against African nations.

On the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Chadians Abroad officially notified the United Nations Secretary-General—custodian of the Rome Statute—of Chad’s sovereign decision to exit the ICC under Article 127 of the treaty. The move follows a comprehensive review of the court’s operations since its establishment in 2002, which the government described as « yielding limited and uneven results » compared to its original mandate.

Chad’s decision is backed by recent ICC data, updated as of May 11, 2026, revealing that of the 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute, 33 are African. Since its inception, the court has launched 13 investigations, with a majority focused on African countries. The statement highlights that « 9 out of the active investigations pertain to African states, while only 4 have been opened outside the continent with little progress ». Additionally, it notes that « 6 of the 7 individuals currently detained by the ICC are facing charges related to African situations, compared to just one outside the continent ».

These figures, according to Chadian authorities, reinforce the widespread perception of a court that disproportionately targets the Global South, particularly Africa. N’Djamena condemned what it called the politicization of justice at the ICC, framing its withdrawal as a step toward promoting a more balanced and credible continental judicial system.

The government urged the African Union and its member states to bolster African-led judicial mechanisms, emphasizing the need for fairer, more effective, and sovereign-respecting justice across the continent. While reaffirming its commitment to combating impunity for grave crimes, Chad stressed that national and regional courts now possess the capacity to fulfill this role independently.