ICC sentences duo for Central Africa atrocities

International Criminal Court Convicts Former CAR Football Minister and Militiaman

Profiles of Convicted Individuals

Patrice‑Edouard Ngaissona: Former Sports Minister and CAF Board Member

• Began tenure as CAR sports minister in 2011.
• Led the national football association until 2018.
• Served on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive board.
• Admitted head of the anti‑Balaka militia during the 2013–2014 civil war.

Alfred Yekatom: Former MP and Militia Commander

• MP in the Central African Republic’s National Assembly.
• Commanded anti‑Balaka forces on the ground during the 2013‑2014 conflict.
• Arrested in 2018 after firing a gun inside the parliamentary building.
• Extradited to The Hague in late 2018.

Sentencing Details

• Yekatom sentenced to 15 years for 20 war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and mutilation of suspected Seleka Muslims.
• Ngaissona received 12 years for 28 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, covering attacks on Muslim civilians.
• Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
• Yekatom was found not guilty of conscripting child soldiers.
• Ngaissona was acquitted of a rape charge.

Background of the Anti‑Balaka Militia

• Formed as vigilante self‑defence groups after the Seleka rebellion overthrew President Francois Bozize.
• Predominantly Christian militia, opposed to the Seleka’s mainly Muslim rebels.
• Engaged in violent clashes targeting suspected Seleka Muslims.
• Yekatom’s men inflicted severe torture, cutting off fingers, toes, and an ear, with the victim’s body never recovered.

Journey to The Hague

• Yekatom arrested at the CAR parliament, later extradited to The Hague.
• Ngaissona arrested in France in December 2018, extradited to The Hague.

Central African Republic: Context

• CAR has endured successive civil wars and authoritarian regimes since independence in 1960.
• Recent years saw a decline in violence, though occasional fighting erupts in remote regions.
• National army backed by Russian mercenaries and Rwandan troops continues to confront rebels.

International Criminal Court: Role

• Founded in 2002 as the world’s only independent tribunal capable of prosecuting the worst crimes.
• Committed to delivering justice for victims of the Central African Republic’s civil war.