Burundi has become the first country to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
An ICC spokesperson confirmed that the pullout would take effect on Friday,a year after the East African nation notified the United Nations Secretary General of its intention to leace the court instituted to prosecute atrocities internationally.
Burundi is the only one of three African nations follow through its withdrawal to the end after making moves last year.
African states took issue with the Hague-based court, with various leaders accusing it of targeting Africans only.
South Africa’s had its plans to withdraw revoked in March by a court, while Gambia had its reversed in February.
According to ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah, Burundi’s withdrawal will not affect the preliminary examination of the country’s situation already under way by the court’s prosecutor.
Last month, a UN commission of inquiry report said crimes against humanity, including murder and sexual violence, are still being committed in Burundi and it asked the ICC to open an investigation as soon as possible.
Human Rights Watch has taken issue with the country’s official withdrawal, saying it is meant to shield perpetrators of atrocities from being held accountable.
“Burundi’s official withdrawal from the International Criminal Court is the latest example of the government’s deplorable efforts to shield those responsible for grave human rights violations from any kind of accountability,” HRW associate director of international justice, Param-Preet Singh said in a statement Friday.
Burundi descended into violence in April 2015 following President Pierre Nkirunziza’s declaration that he would run for a controversial third term in office, one which he went on to win in the July 2015 poll.
Hundreds have been killed in the conflict, including high ranking opposition officials who criticized Nkurunziza for his move.
