The International Criminal Court (ICC) aids in the fight for global justice, boldly indicting sitting and former world leaders for atrocities that defy humanity’s moral boundaries.

Since its establishment in 2002, the ICC has broken new ground by pursuing heads of state – from Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir (charged with Darfur’s genocide) to Russia’s Vladimir Putin (accused of deporting Ukrainian children) – challenging long-held norms of leader immunity, though Donald Trump recently announced sanctions against the ICC, accusing the organisation of “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America”.

The ICC update as of March 27, 2025, shows that these unprecedented cases, spanning three continents and involving crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide, demonstrate the court’s willingness to confront impunity at the highest levels, though enforcement remains hampered by geopolitical realities and non-cooperation from powerful nations.

The 2025 indictment of former Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte marks a critical test for the ICC’s evolving role in global accountability. As the court expands its focus beyond African cases to include leaders from Asia (Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing), the Middle East (Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu), and now Southeast Asia, it faces mounting challenges in translating warrants into justice.

According to the International Criminal Court (ICC), these are the 6 world leaders, including African, indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2025

1. Omar al-Bashir (Sudan) – Indicted in 2009

Omar al-Bashir
Omar al-Bashir

Omar al-Bashir, the former President of Sudan who held power since October 1993, was indicted by the ICC on March 4, 2009, and again on July 12, 2010, facing charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2008, including murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture, and rape, with an active arrest warrant still in place despite his evasion of custody.

Read Also: Global divide over ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Deif

2. Laurent Gbagbo (Côte d’Ivoire) – Indicted in 2011

(FILES) In this file photo taken on February 6, 2020 former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo arrives at the courtroom prior to the opening of a hearing concerning his request for unconditional release at the Board of Appeal of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in The Hague. – International Criminal Court (ICC) says on May 28, 2020 former Ivory Coast’s president Laurent Gbagbo can leave Belgium under conditions. (Photo by Jerry LAMPEN / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT

Laurent Gbagbo, the former President of Côte d’Ivoire, was indicted on November 23, 2011, for crimes against humanity—murder, rape, persecution, and other inhumane acts—during the 2010-2011 post-election violence, though he was acquitted by the ICC in 2019 after a prolonged trial, with his case having been joined with that of his ally Charles Blé Goudé in March 2015.

Read Also: South Africa, Russia, and the International Criminal Court of Justice

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3. Vladimir Putin (Russia) – Indicted in 2023

Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin, Russian President

Vladimir Putin, the current President of Russia, was indicted on March 17, 2023, for the war crimes of unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia following the 2022 invasion, with the ICC asserting he bears individual criminal responsibility either through direct involvement or superior command, though enforcement remains unlikely due to Russia’s non-cooperation.

Read Also: Trump sanction ICC over investigation of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza

4. Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel) – Indicted in 2024

Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister at the time of the alleged crimes, was indicted on November 21, 2024, for war crimes, including starvation as a method of warfare and intentional attacks on civilians, as well as crimes against humanity such as murder and persecution during the 2023-2024 Gaza conflict, though Israel rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction.

5. Min Aung Hlaing (Myanmar) – Indicted in 2024


Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s military junta leader, was indicted on November 27, 2024, for crimes against humanity, including the deportation and persecution of Rohingya Muslims in 2017, though his prosecution faces hurdles since Myanmar is not an ICC member state, leaving his arrest warrant pending enforcement.

6. (Philippines) – Indicted in 2025

Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s minister of economy, speaks at the Future of Asia conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Photographer: Akio Kon/Bloomberg

Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, was indicted on March 11, 2025, for crimes against humanity—murder, torture, and rape—linked to his violent anti-drug campaign (2011-2019
), with an active arrest warrant issued despite his denials, as ICC prosecutors allege thousands of extrajudicial killings occurred under his rule

Mortius Peters is a result driven data scientist, data analyst, journalist, and writer at BusinessDay Media Limited, where he works in the Audience Engagement department. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Mortius combines data science, journalism, and storytelling to gently guide readers toward solving real-world challenges through insightful and engaging content. He currently specializes in crafting listicles that illuminate economic and financial issues, making complex data accessible and actionable. As a passionate researcher and financial analyst, he sees data as the cornerstone of sustainable development and economic growth.

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