International criminal court to close Abidjan office in 2025, stirring mixed reactions

The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with the Ivorian government welcoming the move as a sign of judicial progress, while victims’ groups express concern over unresolved issues from past conflicts.

The ICC’s office in Abidjan was established in the aftermath of the country’s 2010-2011 post-electoral violence, during which over 3,000 people were killed.

The court has played a pivotal role in investigating and prosecuting those responsible for crimes against humanity.

However, the ICC has now indicated that its mission in Côte d’Ivoire is nearing completion, with diminishing operational needs and a shift of focus to other global regions.

A Closure Marking Judicial Independence?

For the Ivorian government, the closure is a sign of the growing strength of the country’s judicial institutions.

Amadou Coulibaly, the government’s spokesperson, praised the move, stating, “This shows that our national courts are functioning well and have taken over.”

Authorities see the ICC’s withdrawal as a reflection of the country’s ability to handle sensitive legal cases related to past crises, including the civil conflicts of 2002 and 2010.

The ICC’s departure comes alongside the conclusion of the Victims’ Fund, which has provided assistance to nearly 8,000 people in the country.

With the end of international involvement, the Ivorian judiciary is expected to fully manage ongoing cases and ensure justice for those affected by previous conflicts.

Unresolved Justice for Victims

Despite the government’s satisfaction, not everyone is convinced that the time is right for the ICC to leave.

Many victims of the 2010 crisis remain skeptical about the capacity of national courts to provide justice.

Drissa Bamba, president of the Ivorian Human Rights Movement, voiced his frustration: “Who killed the 3,000 victims of the 2010 crisis?”

Though former President Laurent Gbagbo and his ally Charles Blé Goudé were acquitted by the ICC in 2021, many crimes from that period remain unsolved.

For victims’ groups, the closure of the ICC’s physical presence in the country raises fears that unresolved cases may be neglected or mishandled by the Ivorian judicial system.

The Challenge Ahead for National Courts

With the ICC’s exit, the responsibility for prosecuting the most serious crimes now lies squarely with the Ivorian justice system.

However, the country’s courts must still prove they are up to the task, amid ongoing concerns over impartiality and effectiveness.

Critics argue that national jurisdictions may lack the capacity or will to handle politically sensitive cases, leaving victims without the justice they have long sought.

As Côte d’Ivoire prepares to take full control of its judicial future, the question remains: is the country truly ready to close this dark chapter, or has the ICC departed too soon, leaving justice unfinished?