South Africa is planning a withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to concerns of bias against African nations.

Deputy minister in the Presidency, Obed Bapela, says the International body has lost it’s direction, according to Reuters. The minister told reporters the government is planning their withdrawal due to their firm belief bigger nations trample on the rights of perceived smaller nations.

The issue would be placed before parliament for debate.

“Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, accused of genocide and war crimes, visited the country in June, but was allowed to leave despite a court order to detain him. The government last week asked the ICC for more time to explain why it allowed this.”

It seems this might have been a driver for their decision, and the issue is being pushed by the current ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC).

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organisation and international tribunal that sits in The Hague in the Netherlands. The ICC has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.