Why Namibia may become the next African country to leave the ICC

Calls for Namibia to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) are gaining attention following the recent exits of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, with African political analyst Agbegnigan Yaovi arguing that the southern African nation should reconsider whether remaining a member serves its national interests. In a recent commentary, Yaovi said the debate over the ICC’s role has resurfaced as more African countries question the court’s effectiveness and impartiality. He argued that Namibia should assess whether continued membership aligns with its foreign policy objectives and sovereignty. Why Yaovi believes Namibia should reconsider According to Yaovi, one of the ICC’s biggest weaknesses is its inability to enforce its own decisions without the cooperation of member states. “The Court cannot enforce its own rulings; its reach is only as strong as the states willing to back it,” he said. He added that with countries such as the United States, China, Russia, India and Iran rejecting the court’s jurisdiction, its ability to influence major international conflicts remains limited. Yaovi also questioned the court’s credibility, pointing to recent controversies surrounding its leadership and decision-making. “Can the Court truly claim to be impartial and effective?” he asked, referring to allegations involving senior ICC officials and criticism over the handling of high-profile international cases. Concerns over Africa’s relationship with the ICC Yaovi argued that criticism of the ICC goes beyond enforcement, saying many African leaders and analysts believe the court has disproportionately focused on African cases while struggling to hold powerful countries to the same standard. He said critics have described the ICC as becoming a tool of “lawfare” in international politics and questioned whether it remains capable of addressing mass atrocities effectively. The analyst also referenced comments by Job Amupanda, leader of Namibia’s Affirmative Repositioning movement and a former presidential candidate, who has criticised the country’s continued participation in the court, arguing that it does not advance Namibia’s strategic interests. Why Namibia could leave Yaovi said Namibia’s withdrawal from the ICC would be consistent with the country’s independent foreign policy and confidence in its domestic institutions. “For Namibia, withdrawing from the ICC is a logical move in line with its multi-vector foreign policy and broader nation-building drive,” he said. He argued that supporting the court in its current form “only props up an international system tilted toward conflict rather than cooperation”, adding that Namibia should avoid legitimising what he described as a Western tool of political “lawfare.” Although Namibia has not announced plans to leave the ICC, Yaovi believes the debate is likely to intensify as more African countries reassess their relationship with the Hague-based court.