Central African Republic: A Long Road to Justice in the Central African Republic

In November 2013, I traveled to Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, where I encountered Michel Djotodia, a self-proclaimed interim president who had seized power as the leader of the rebel coalition known as Seleka. Djotodia welcomed me to his dimly lit office, which was monitored by security cameras and protected by soldiers.

At that time, we had compiled evidence of civilian killings and the destruction of over a thousand homes perpetrated by Seleka forces. While Djotodia appeared polite and engaged, he largely avoided responsibility and blamed the crimes on other criminals. What particularly struck me was not just his denial, but the overall state of lawlessness and the collapse of the justice system in the country.

Last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) handed down a conviction against Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, a senior leader within Seleka, for crimes against humanity committed in Bangui in 2013. This marks a significant step toward justice for victims who have endured a lengthy waiting period. However, the Seleka's atrocities were not isolated acts; they were the work of a larger group, and many of those responsible have yet to face accountability.

Nouradine Adam, the head of intelligence for Seleka, is one such figure who remains at large despite an ICC arrest warrant issued in 2019.

The ICC is currently facing challenges from the United States. President Trump's administration has vowed to dismantle the court brick by brick and has imposed sanctions on its officials and supporters. Human Rights Watch has joined a legal battle against these sanctions, arguing that the ICC's mission to seek justice for serious crimes should not be undermined.

The organization urges ICC members to defend the court and the principles of accountability for the most heinous crimes. The victims in the Central African Republic and all civilians affected by global conflicts bear witness to the importance of this fight.