Over the past decade, the African Union (AU) has criticised the ICC for its exclusive focus on prosecuting African suspects and accused it of meddling in states' domestic affairs. Until recent weeks, none of Africa's 34 signatories to the Rome Statute had moved formally to withdraw support for the Court. Recent decisions by Burundi, South Africa and The Gambia to leave the Court's jurisdiction represent the most serious threat to the ICC's credibility to date.
Pressure will increase on the ICC to prosecute non-African suspects to demonstrate that the Court is not biased against Africa.
Following the planned withdrawals, African states will lobby to change the Rome Statute at the Assembly of States Parties later this month.
Donors will pressure pro-ICC African states such as Botswana, Ghana and Senegal to support the ICC and denounce withdrawing states.
