Burundi has marked eight years since its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) with a regional dialogue led by Afrique Média, focusing on African-led justice systems and national sovereignty.
Patrick Balagizi, Deputy High Representative of the African Union for the Great Lakes Region, said that “Africa gains nothing from the ICC,” urging countries to create regional and national frameworks to address justice issues independently. He said reliance on external courts limits the continent’s ability to act on its own terms.
Joining the session remotely, Jassane Maguate, a magistrate from Mali, said every African nation must “take independent responsibility” and work towards “common alternatives for fair and sovereign justice.”
Vera Mutoni, a United Nations Human Rights Officer, also addressed the meeting, highlighting the need for continued discussion on new mechanisms to ensure justice for states that have already withdrawn from the ICC.
The event, which was held in Bujumbura, brought together African leaders, diplomats, legal experts, and human rights officials to reflect on the impact of Burundi’s withdrawal and to discuss ways to strengthen judicial independence across the continent.
Burundi officially withdrew from the ICC on 27 October 2017, becoming the first country to do so. At the anniversary gathering, government officials reaffirmed the country’s commitment to accountability and governance “within the legitimacy of its political system and the African continent as a whole.” Speakers said national judicial reforms and independent institutions remain essential for peace and social cohesion.
The discussions also touched on growing dissatisfaction with the ICC among African nations, referencing the recent decision by members of the Sahel States Alliance to announce their intention to withdraw from the court.
The meeting ended with a shared commitment to strengthen the legitimacy of African states, develop homegrown mechanisms for resolving disputes, and promote policies that build social cohesion. Participants described the event as a milestone in advancing dialogue on sovereign justice.
Burundi reiterated that its decision to withdraw from the ICC had allowed it to pursue an independent path and called for greater collaboration among African countries to build what it described as a “legitimate and free judicial system on the continent.”
