ICC sentence for a former militia leader for war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced two former anti-Balaka militia leaders who are predominantly Christians in the Central African Republic (CAR) for some war crimes and crimes against humanity.

ICC, in a statement on Thursday, said that Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Eduard Ngaassona were sentenced to 15 and 12 years in prison because of their role in brutal attacks on civilians from especially the Muslim population as Seleka-Seki Civil War 2013-14.

They were found guilty “without a reasonable doubt” to lead and facilitate attacks on civilians in the capital, Bangui, and the western country.

Thousands of people were killed in violence that swept the car after the 2012 coup led by most Muslim rebel coalitions, Séléka.

The battle took a deep sectarian tenor when the anti-Balaka militia began a brutal changing attack campaign.

The ICC V Court Room found that Yekatom was responsible for a number of crimes he committed in the context of attacks on Bangui (the capital of the car), events in Yamwara (a school where he founded a base), and during the progress of his group on the PK9-Mbaïki axis.

This includes murder, torture, forced transfer and deportation, directing attacks on a building dedicated to religion, and persecution.

Ngaïssona was punished for helping and conspiring with many of the same crimes, including persecution, forced transfer, and cruel care.

The two men were also found targeting Muslims based on anti-balaka perceptions about collective errors for selected violations.

The judges sentenced Yekatom for 15 years and Ngaïssona for 12 years, with time to be deducted.