Chad has announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing concerns over the court's effectiveness and what it described as a disproportionate focus on African countries.
In a statement, Chad's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government had formally notified the United Nations Secretary-General of its decision to leave the court, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.
The ministry argued that the ICC has shown limited effectiveness and selective application of justice, noting that nine of the 13 investigations opened by the court involve African states, while six of the seven defendants currently in custody are facing charges related to African cases.
Chad ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC, in 2006. Under the statute, a member state's withdrawal takes effect one year after the UN Secretary-General receives formal notification.
The ICC, based in The Hague, prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression when national courts are unwilling or unable to do so.
By Sabina Mammadli
