ICC jails two former CAR militia leaders for war crimes against civilians

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced two former leaders of the Anti-Balaka militia in the Central African Republic (CAR), Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, to 15 and 12 years in prison respectively for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the country’s 2013–2014 civil conflict.

In a statement released Thursday, the ICC said both men were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for their roles in orchestrating brutal attacks on civilians—primarily targeting members of the country’s Muslim Séléka community.

Yekatom was held responsible for crimes including murder, torture, forcible displacement, and attacks on religious buildings during operations in Bangui, at a school-turned-base in Yamwara, and along the PK9-Mbaïki route.

Ngaïssona was convicted of aiding and abetting similar atrocities, including persecution, cruel treatment, and forced displacement.

The court found that both men fueled sectarian violence by targeting Muslims based on a perceived collective guilt for earlier Séléka abuses.

However, judges emphasized that the conflict, while later taking on religious overtones, was not initially driven by religious divisions.

Charges related to pillaging and child soldier recruitment were not upheld.

The sentences will account for time already served in detention.

The verdicts conclude a trial that began in February 2021, involving testimonies from 114 prosecution witnesses, 56 for the defense, and nearly 2,000 victims who participated through legal representatives.

The convictions mark a major milestone in international efforts to hold perpetrators of atrocities in CAR accountable.