Tue Sep 23 14:09:56 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**Sahel Nations Announce ICC Exit, Citing “Neocolonial Repression”**

**BAMAKO, MALI** – Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all currently governed by military regimes following recent coups, have jointly announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). In a statement released late Monday, the three nations condemned the ICC as an “instrument of neocolonial repression” and accused the court of selective justice, claiming it is incapable of impartially prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, aggression, and genocide.

The move underscores a growing trend of these West African nations distancing themselves from Western influence. The countries assert their desire to establish “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice,” signalling a push for greater sovereignty.

This decision follows their recent departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the formation of their own regional alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States. They have also been reducing defense cooperation with Western powers like France and fostering closer ties with Russia.

Analysts say the withdrawal from the ICC, effective one year after official notification to the UN, was anticipated given the political shifts following the coups that brought the military juntas to power.

The three nations are currently battling armed groups linked to al-Qaeda, and both military forces and associated armed groups have been accused of atrocities by human rights organizations. The ICC has already been investigating alleged war crimes in Mali since 2013.

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