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Burundi to withdraw membership from International Criminal Court

Soldiers lead the convoy of Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza's party, CNDD-FDD (National Council for the Defense of Democracy, Forces for the Defense of Democracy), during a rally outside Bujumbura on May 23, 2015. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images

BUJUMBURA, Burundi – A Burundi official says the country will withdraw from the International Criminal Court, months after the court said it will investigate violence sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s re-election.

Burundi’s first vice-president, Gaston Sindimwo, said Thursday that the government had presented a draft law in parliament to debate how the country can withdraw from its membership in the ICC.

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READ MORE: UN holds special session to discuss rising violence in Burundi

Sindimwo also accused the court of violating the rights of Africans.

African countries have threatened a withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty which created the ICC, accusing the court of disproportionately targeting African countries in its investigations.

WATCH: Security Council condemns attack in Burundi

Hundreds of people have died in Burundi since Nkurunziza last year pursued and won a third term that many oppose as unconstitutional.

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The ICC in April said it will investigate the violence.

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