International Criminal Court convicts Central African militia leader

On Wednesday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) convicted Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, a former leader of the Seleka militia in the Central African Republic, of crimes against humanity, including torture. Prosecutors alleged that Kani oversaw a prison where suspected supporters of former President Francois Bozizé were beaten and tortured.

Kani vehemently denied all charges. According to the presiding judge, Miatta Maria Samba, Kani and others were responsible for the beatings and torture of prisoners as part of a scheme to target perceived Bozizé supporters in the capital, Bangui. The ICC found Kani guilty on four counts, including persecution and torture. However, the judges dismissed several war crimes charges, as the alleged crimes were committed after the end of the armed conflict.

The Seleka, a predominantly Muslim rebel group, seized power in 2013, toppling Bozizé. Their rule gave rise to opposing "anti-Balaka" Christian-dominated militias. The ICC has been investigating the violence in the Central African Republic since 2014, and Kani is the first Seleka member to receive a conviction. Kani, dressed in jeans and a blue sweatshirt, remained silent as the verdict was read.

His sentencing will be determined in a separate hearing. The Central African Republic's government has not yet commented on the conviction. Nelly Azoukateme, whose son and brother were allegedly abducted by the militia, described the verdict as a "small victory", expressing relief that Kani was found guilty. However, she acknowledged that the dismissed charges could result in a lighter sentence.