France, Sept. 23 -- The three member states of the Alliance of Sahel States have announced their immediate withdrawal from the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the ICC of practising "selective justice". The declaration was made simultaneously on Monday in the capitals of Bamako, Niamey and Ouagadougou.

The withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a "sovereign decision," the official statement stated.

The three countries, led by coup leaders, have a string of grievances against the international court responsible for trying those accused of genocide and serious crimes.

The joint statement states that "over time," the ICC has transformed itself "into an in...