US Urges Nigeria, African Nations to Leave International Criminal Court

The United States has called on Nigeria and other African countries that are members of the International Criminal Court, ICC, to withdraw from the global war crimes tribunal, describing it as a flawed institution that threatens national sovereignty.

The appeal marks the latest step in Washington's growing campaign against the Hague based court, which has faced increasing political pressure over its investigations into world leaders and armed conflicts.

The call was made by the US Bureau of African Affairs following Chad's decision to begin the formal process of withdrawing from the ICC. The agency praised Chad's move and encouraged other African countries that are party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court in 2002, to take similar action. It described the ICC as an institution that has failed to deliver fair justice while interfering with the sovereignty of member states.

Nigeria is one of more than 120 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute. By joining the treaty, member states accept the court's authority to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so. The United States signed the Rome Statute in 2000 but never ratified it and is not an ICC member. Successive US administrations have opposed the court's jurisdiction over American citizens.

The latest push follows months of growing tension between Washington and the ICC. Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on ICC officials and launched a diplomatic effort to weaken the court after objecting to investigations involving US allies and previous inquiries linked to American military operations.

The ICC is also facing internal challenges. Member states recently voted to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following findings of serious misconduct, leaving the court searching for new leadership at a time of increasing political pressure and growing withdrawals by member countries.

Several African governments have previously accused the court of disproportionately focusing on the continent. Chad has now joined Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in moving to leave the ICC, while Venezuela has also begun its withdrawal process. Supporters of the court argue that it remains an important institution for holding individuals accountable for the world's most serious crimes, especially where domestic justice systems fail.

Nigeria has not announced any plans to withdraw from the ICC. The Federal Government has not publicly responded to the latest appeal from Washington as of the time of publication.

The development highlights growing divisions over international justice and raises fresh questions about the future of the ICC as geopolitical tensions continue to shape global institutions.

In simple terms, here's what this means.

The United States wants Nigeria and other African countries to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is the international court that prosecutes people accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression.

Why is the US saying this?

The US believes the ICC has too much power and interferes with the sovereignty of countries. In other words, it argues that each country should handle its own legal matters without an international court stepping in.

Why does the US oppose the ICC?

The US has never been a full member of the ICC because it fears American soldiers, government officials, or its allies could be prosecuted by the court. It has repeatedly argued that the ICC should not have authority over countries that did not agree to its jurisdiction.

Why is Nigeria involved?

Nigeria is a member of the ICC. By joining, it agreed that the court could investigate and prosecute serious international crimes if Nigeria's own courts are unwilling or unable to do so.

The US is now asking Nigeria and other African members to leave the court, similar to what Chad recently decided to do.

Why this is important.

If more African countries leave the ICC:
• The court's influence in Africa could weaken.
• Victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity in those countries might have fewer international legal options.
• Governments would have greater control over handling such cases within their own borders.

What does this mean for Nigeria?

At the moment, nothing changes.

Nigeria has not said it will leave the ICC. The US request is only a diplomatic appeal, not an order. Nigeria is free to reject or accept it.

The bigger picture

This is part of a larger disagreement over international justice.

The US argues:
• Countries should protect their own sovereignty.
• The ICC has become politically biased.
• The court should not investigate countries without their consent.

Supporters of the ICC argue:
• Some governments fail to prosecute powerful people who commit serious crimes.
• The ICC exists to ensure accountability when national courts fail.
• Without the ICC, some victims of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity may never get justice.

The core issue is not whether Nigeria has done anything wrong. It is about who should have the final authority to prosecute the world's worst crimes: individual countries or an international court.