Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are preparing to formally withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Justice ministers from the three countries, which make up the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), met earlier this week in Niamey to discuss the coordinated exit.

The move underscores the governments’ growing stance against international institutions they consider biased or unrepresentative of their interests.

Details on the timeline and procedures for the withdrawal are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.