The International Criminal Court (ICC) on July 24 convicted two Anti-Balaka militia leaders, Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Central African Republic (CAR) between 2013 and 2014. Yekatom was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Ngaissona received a 12-year sentence.

The ICC found that Yekatom and Ngaissona led a campaign of violence targeting Muslim civilians in retaliation for months of looting and violence carried out by the Muslim-led Séléka rebel coalition, which had seized power in 2013. The convictions include charges of murder, intentionally attacking civilian populations, forcible transfer, torture and other inhumane acts, and persecution.

The judgement reaffirmed the importance of the principle of distinction between civilians and combatants in armed conflict. Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang stated:

The crimes attributed to the two are serious in all aspects, causing horrific and indelible consequences for the civilian population. This conviction is a strong message from the ICC that those responsible for atrocity crimes under the Rome Statute will be brought to justice and held to account. From the battlefield to the inner circles of power, there can be no impunity for crimes violating the most fundamental tenet of international humanitarian law—the protection of civilians.

Human Rights Watch welcomed the verdict, calling it "an important step toward justice in the country." The rights group emphasized, however, that similar cases await a resolution before the ICC and the Special Criminal Court established within the CAR. Lewis Mudge, the Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch, stated:

The verdict against Yekatom and Ngaissona is an important step, but thousands of victims of atrocity crimes in Central African Republic still await justice… ICC member countries and international partners should double down on their support for the ICC and the Special Criminal Court to ensure these institutions have the political backing and resources they need to carry out their critical mandates.

From JURIST, July 26. Used with permission.

Note: This now makes 12 convictions at the ICC.

See our last report on the Central African Republic war crimes cases.