Burundi informs UN it is quitting international court

A spokesman says that the U.N. has received a letter from Burundi formally indicating their desire to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.

Stephane Dujarric said Thursday that the letter will now go to the legal department to be studied and processed if everything appears to be in order.

“Obviously we regret the decision by South Africa and now by Burundi and the one that’s reported to have been taken by the Gambia. We have not received any official communications by the Gambia,” Dujarric said.

Last week, President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi signed legislation to withdraw from the ICC, which had said it would investigate political violence that followed Nkurunziza’s decision last year to pursue a third term. Withdrawal takes effect a year after the U.N. secretary-general is formally notified.