The International Criminal Court (ICC) opened a trial [6] Sept. 26 against Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, a leader of the Séléka rebel group, for crimes humanity and war crimes in violation of the Rome Statute [7]. Said allegedly committed these crimes in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), in 2013. Said pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The ICC issued a warrant of arrest [10] against Said in January 2019. The Pre-Trial Chamber II partially confirmed [11] the charges brought by the prosecutor and found that there is sufficient evidence to "establish substantial grounds of belief that Mr. Said was a senior member of the 'Séléka' coalition." Said surrendered [12] to the ICC in January 2021.
Séléka is an armed movement that emerged in 2012 amid widespread dissatisfaction with then-president François Bozizé Yangouvonda. The group captured Bangui in 2013, forcing Bozizé into exile in Cameroon; Séléka leader Michel Djotodia proclaimed himself as president of the CAR. The militia then conducted search operations for supporters of Bozizé and executed an unknown number of residents, including a pregnant woman and family members of armed forces personnel.
From Jurist [13], Sept. 26. Used with permission.
Note: The Central African Republic is also to carry out its own war crimes trials [8] related to the internal conflict. There are currently four standing convictions [14] for war crimes by the ICC.
