Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza signed a decree on Tuesday for Burundi to undertake proceedings to leave the International Criminal Court , reports Reuters.
The decision to remove the country from the ICC came after a parliamentary vote saw 94 parliamentarians vote to leave the ICC whilst 2 voted to remain within its jurisdiction.
Last month, a United Nations report named officials accused of orchestrating the torture and killing of political opponents in a damming report.
In response, Burundi’s government banned three UN investigators from its territory, condemning the UN decision to set up a commission of inquiry to prove violence in the country which began after incumbent President Nkurunziza decided to seek a third term in office.
In April, the ICC opened preliminary investigations into Burundi with a focus on killings, imprisonment, torture, rape and other sexual violence as well as enforced disappearances.