By Redaction ARPS Media with ICC
On July 24, 2025, the International Criminal Court found Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Central African Republic from September 2013 to February 2014. Yekatom was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Ngaïssona received 12 years.
The conflict, involving the Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups, was characterized by violence primarily against non-Muslims, although it was not originally based on religion. Yekatom led attacks on Muslim civilians, while Ngaïssona planned Anti-Balaka responses.
The court highlighted that before the violence, diverse faiths had coexisted peacefully. Yekatom was found guilty of attacking civilians, murder, torture, and persecution, while Ngaïssona was guilty of murder and torture, but not for pillaging or rape.
The trial began on February 16, 2021, and included 114 prosecution witnesses and 1,965 victims. It concluded with closing statements scheduled for December 2024 and a hearing in January 2025.
