The International Criminal Court (ICC) has delivered long-awaited justice in one of the darkest chapters of the Central African Republic’s (CAR) recent history, sentencing two prominent former officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the brutal civil war between 2013 and 2014.
In a judgment delivered at The Hague, the ICC sentenced Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, a former government minister and once head of the Central African football federation, to 12 years in prison after finding him guilty of 28 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. His co-defendant, Alfred Yekatom, a former member of parliament and militia commander widely known by the alias “Rambo,” was handed a 15-year prison sentence following conviction on 20 charges, including murder, torture, and other inhumane acts.
The two men were high-ranking leaders in the anti-Balaka, a predominantly Christian militia formed in response to the Seleka, a largely Muslim rebel alliance that ousted then-President François Bozizé in 2013. What began as a self-declared vigilante defense movement soon degenerated into a campaign of sectarian violence, with civilians paying the highest price.
Atrocities Against Civilians
The ICC’s detailed findings painted a disturbing portrait of widespread atrocities committed by the anti-Balaka forces under the command or coordination of Ngaïssona and Yekatom. According to prosecutors, the militias under their control carried out targeted attacks on Muslim communities in a campaign marked by mutilation, forced displacement, and mass killings.
In one particularly harrowing episode described by the court, Yekatom’s fighters tortured victims by amputating fingers, toes, and ears, leaving some bodies dismembered and others never recovered. Testimonies and evidence presented during the trial confirmed systematic brutality, including attacks on places of worship and homes believed to be sheltering Muslim families.
While Ngaïssona was acquitted on charges of rape, and Yekatom was found not guilty of recruiting child soldiers, both were convicted of numerous other offenses spanning murder, persecution, cruel treatment, and outrages upon personal dignity.
Arrests and Extradition
The path to justice was long and fraught with geopolitical hurdles. Ngaïssona was arrested in France in 2018 following an ICC warrant and later extradited to the court’s detention facility in The Hague. Yekatom, on the other hand, drew international scrutiny after firing a weapon inside the CAR parliament in 2018. He was arrested shortly afterward by national authorities and transferred to the ICC in the same year.
Both men denied all charges throughout the trial. Their defense teams argued that the prosecution had failed to prove command responsibility and claimed that the accused were being scapegoated for a broader conflict involving multiple armed groups. However, the ICC found compelling evidence linking them to leadership roles and active participation in the campaign of violence.
Significance of the Ruling
This landmark ruling underscores the role of the International Criminal Court as the only permanent, independent international tribunal with jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The judgment has been hailed by human rights advocates as a critical step toward accountability and a warning to warlords and militia leaders that impunity will not go unpunished.
Speaking after the verdict, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC emphasized the importance of justice for victims in forgotten conflicts.
“The people of the Central African Republic, especially the victims and survivors of these crimes, deserve acknowledgment, justice, and a commitment to non-repetition. Today’s ruling is part of that journey,” Khan said.
A Nation Still in Crisis
Despite this judicial milestone, the Central African Republic remains deeply fragile. One of the poorest countries in the world, the CAR has endured decades of instability, coups, and armed rebellions since gaining independence from France in 1960.
Although a formal peace agreement was signed in 2019 between the government and 14 armed groups, violence continues to erupt sporadically, particularly in areas rich in minerals or with competing rebel interests. Government forces, often backed by Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group and Rwandan troops, have tried to maintain order, but many parts of the country remain lawless.
The sentencing of Ngaïssona and Yekatom represents a rare accountability moment in a region where war crimes often go unpunished due to weak institutions, ongoing conflict, and political interference.
Reaction from Human Rights Organizations
Human rights groups welcomed the ICC’s decision but urged for broader action to dismantle the culture of impunity in the CAR and other conflict zones.
Amnesty International’s Africa Director, Tigere Chagutah, said in a statement:
“This verdict is a reminder that no one is above the law. However, it must also serve as a catalyst for further investigations into atrocities committed by other armed groups and even by government forces. Justice must be comprehensive.”
Other observers noted the importance of supporting domestic judicial mechanisms in the CAR, including the Special Criminal Court (SCC), which operates alongside the ICC to address grave crimes committed during the conflict.
Looking Ahead
While the convictions of Ngaïssona and Yekatom mark a victory for justice, experts caution that lasting peace in the CAR requires not only legal accountability but also meaningful reconciliation, economic opportunity, and sustained international engagement.
As the country tries to emerge from years of bloodshed, many victims continue to live in displacement camps, their lives shattered by violence that took loved ones, homes, and a sense of security.
The ICC’s ruling may not undo the past, but for thousands of survivors, it offers a glimmer of recognition and the hope that justice, though slow, is still possible.
