Former Central African Football Chief Convicted of War Crimes

An International Criminal Court ruling finds ex-football chief guilty of orchestrating violence during the CAR's civil conflict.

Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, the former head of the Central African Republic (CAR) football federation, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of 28 war crimes and crimes against humanity by judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC). His co-defendant, Alfred Yekatom, received a 15-year sentence for similar charges. The court’s ruling comes after a lengthy trial which spanned nearly four years, featuring testimony from over 170 witnesses and almost 20,000 pieces of evidence.

The two men were accused of leading coordinated attacks against the Muslim community in CAR during 2013-2014, amid a civil war that erupted when the Muslim-dominated Séléka rebel coalition seized control of the government, leading to violent retaliations from Christian militias known as anti-Balaka. The ICC presented evidence revealing that Ngaïssona not only financed but also directed these militia groups to commit atrocities against the Muslim population, including murder, torture, and severe discrimination.

Ngaïssona, previously a prominent figure in African football, was elected to the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football in 2018, despite ongoing allegations of his involvement in atrocities. He denied the charges during the trial, claiming he was merely working for the betterment of his country. Yekatom, infamously called "Rambo," was accused of leading violent raids into civilian areas and authorizing brutal acts against Muslim individuals.

The conviction of these leaders represents a significant moment in the fight against impunity for war crimes in the CAR, which has suffered from civil unrest for years. Recent advancements towards peace have prompted the dissolution of several rebel factions, but the road to reconciliation remains fraught with challenges, including widespread violence and human rights violations.

The ICC’s decision is a crucial step toward addressing justice for the victims and setting a precedent for accountability in the region.