Burkina Faso: The Burkinabe people turn out in large numbers in Ouagadougou following the call for Burkina Faso to withdraw from the ICC
This Friday, thousands of people gathered in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, in front of the United Nations offices. They were protesting against a UN report published at the end of May, accusing the Burkinabe army of civilian murders. This demonstration marks the beginning of a series of mobilizations that will culminate in an unprecedented popular movement demanding Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Growing indignation over repeated UN accusations against the Burkinabe armed forces has spurred this initiative. The protesters aim to defend national sovereignty and protect the integrity of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) and President Ibrahim Traoré.
The UN report, accusing the Burkinabe army of serious abuses, was the last straw for many Burkinabe. They believe these accusations discredit their armed forces, which are engaged in a complex struggle against terrorism and regional instability. The popular anger quickly turned against the ICC, seen by many not as an instrument of justice but as a tool of postcolonial domination.
The perception of the ICC in Africa has often been controversial. Many view the institution, supposedly impartial, as being used by major powers to intimidate and discredit African leaders and governments that dare to challenge their interests. This view has strengthened over the years as African political figures have been targeted by the ICC, while crimes committed by Western powers seem to go unpunished.
The June 7th mobilization could be a game-changer for Burkina Faso. Withdrawing from the ICC would send a strong message to the international community, affirming the country’s determination to defend its sovereignty and manage its own affairs without external interference. This reflects a growing distrust of international institutions perceived as biased.
To be continued…
