Ndjamena: Chad's government has officially declared its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it had informed the United Nations Secretary-General of its decision to exit the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. Chad becomes the fourth francophone African nation with significant military influence to make such a move within the past year. This follows similar steps taken by the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.According to Deutsche Welle, Chad's Foreign Ministry explained that the decision was the result of a comprehensive review of the ICC's operations since its inception in 2002. The ministry criticized the court for its perceived inefficacy and uneven application of justice across different regions. It pointed to the ICC's history of prosecutions, highlighting that nine out of thirteen cases were focused on African nations, while only four addressed other regions, showing no substantial progress.The min istry further noted that of the seven individuals detained due to ICC investigations, only one was from outside Africa. This, they argued, highlighted the court's focus on the Global South and Africa. Chad has also called on other African Union members to consider similar withdrawals, emphasizing that the decision does not undermine the moral obligation to deliver justice to victims. Instead, it reflects a belief in the capability of national and African judicial systems to fulfill this responsibility.The recent decision to withdraw comes after Chad's discussions with the United States. Following a meeting between a Chadian minister and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia Jr., the U.S. urged Chad to reconsider its ICC membership. The Chadian government noted that it would evaluate this request. The withdrawal also coincides with a recent vote to dismiss ICC's chief prosecutor Karim Khan amid allegations of sexual misconduct.The U.S., along with countries like Russia, has nev er fully ratified the Rome Statute. However, past American administrations have supported the court's work, a stance that has shifted following the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders after Donald Trump's re-election in 2024. The Trump administration has shown criticism towards the ICC and the U.N., which facilitated the Rome Statute mechanism.Chad's current political landscape is marked by the long-standing influence of the Deby family, with strong ties to the military. Former President Idriss Deby, who ruled for over three decades, died in 2021. His son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, assumed leadership of a transitional military council. Despite public protests and opposition, he extended his interim mandate and later won the 2024 presidential elections amid controversy. Domestic challenges persist, including ongoing insurgencies in the north and an influx of refugees from Sudan.The withdrawal aligns Chad with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, nations currently under military-led interim gover nments following coups in recent years.