Burkina Faso Junta Dissolves Electoral Commission and Withdraws from ICC

In a series of significant political maneuvers, Burkina Faso's military-led government has dissolved the nation's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and, alongside Mali and Niger, announced plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). These actions signal a consolidation of power within the junta and a strategic shift away from international institutions.

On July 16, 2025, Burkina Faso's transitional government enacted a law dissolving CENI, which had been responsible for overseeing elections since 2001. The junta cited the commission's high operational costs and alleged susceptibility to foreign influence as primary reasons for this decision. Electoral responsibilities have now been transferred to the Ministry of Territorial Administration. This move follows the extension of the transition period until July 2029, allowing Captain Ibrahim Traoré to remain in power and contest future elections.

In a joint statement issued on September 22, 2025, the governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced their immediate withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the ICC. The statement described the ICC as an "instrument of neo-colonial repression in the hands of imperialism" and criticized the court for its alleged failure to prosecute clear cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression. The withdrawal process requires a formal notification to the United Nations Secretary-General and takes effect one year after such notification is received.

These developments have raised concerns among human rights organizations and international observers. Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, stated, "The announcements by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger that they will withdraw from the ICC are an affront to victims and survivors of the most serious crimes and to all people fighting against impunity in these countries and worldwide." He emphasized that such withdrawals would significantly harm the prospect of victims and survivors of future war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide from these Sahel countries being able to pursue justice at the ICC if they cannot find justice at home.

The dissolution of CENI and the extension of the transition period have also sparked concerns about the future of democratic governance in Burkina Faso. Critics argue that these actions undermine electoral independence and consolidate executive control over the electoral process. The transfer of electoral responsibilities to the Ministry of Territorial Administration is seen as a move that could tighten the junta’s grip on power and further delay the country’s return to democratic governance.

Regionally, the withdrawal from the ICC aligns with a broader trend of Sahel countries distancing themselves from Western institutions and reducing external oversight. The three nations have already departed from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and formed their own bloc—the Alliance of Sahel States—while distancing themselves from Western military cooperation and aligning more closely with Russia.

The ICC, established in 2002, is a global tribunal responsible for prosecuting individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Withdrawal from the Rome Statute takes effect one year after notification is received by the UN treaty office. During this period, the countries remain bound by their ICC obligations.

These actions by Burkina Faso's military government reflect a broader trend of consolidating power and reorienting international alliances. The dissolution of the electoral commission and withdrawal from the ICC have significant implications for democratic governance, justice, and regional stability in West Africa.