Justice Served for Atrocities in the Central African Republic

The International Criminal Court convicted two Central African Republic rebel leaders, Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and Alfred Yekatom, of war crimes and crimes against humanity, sentencing them to over a decade in prison. Their crimes, tied to the anti-Balaka militia, opposed the Seleka in 2013-2014, exacerbating sectarian violence.

Devdiscourse News Desk | Thehague | Updated: 24-07-2025 20:49 IST | Created: 24-07-2025 20:49 IST

Justice Served for Atrocities in the Central African Republic — This image is AI-generated and does not depict any real-life event or location. It is a fictional representation created for illustrative purposes only.

The International Criminal Court has handed down convictions to two leading figures from the Central African Republic, holding them accountable for egregious violations of international law.

Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, the country's former soccer federation president, and Alfred Yekatom, a notable rebel leader, received sentences of 12 and 15 years, respectively. Both were deemed guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity as key figures within the anti-Balaka militia.

This verdict marks the first time the ICC has addressed the sectarian violence that began when the Seleka rebel group seized control in 2013, displacing thousands and deepening national strife.

(With inputs from agencies.)