An internationally supported court in the Central African Republic has issued an arrest warrant for the country’s former President François Bozizé, who is currently in exile. The warrant stems from allegations of human rights abuses during his tenure from 2009 to 2013.
The court responsible, known as the Special Criminal Court based in Bangui, was established to address war crimes and human rights violations committed during various coups and violent episodes since 2003.
According to Gervais Bodagy Laoulé, a spokesperson for the court, the warrant specifically targets crimes committed under Bozizé’s leadership. Alleged atrocities occurred within a civilian prison and at a military training center located in Bossembélém, where numerous individuals reportedly endured torture and lost their lives.
The charges pertain to actions carried out by Bozizé’s presidential guard and other security units during the specified timeframe.
François Bozizé, the former President of the Central African Republic, currently resides in exile in Guinea Bissau.
The President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, stated that he has not been approached by Bangui regarding the arrest warrant issued against Bozizé.
Additionally, he mentioned that his country’s laws do not permit extradition under these circumstances.
Ibrahim Nour, whose father was a victim of torture and murder in the notorious Bossembélé prison, expressed his approval of the arrest warrant.
“Justice may be slow, but it will eventually catch up with the executioners. That’s why I welcome the arrest warrant for the men who killed my father, and for whom we are waiting for explanations so that we can begin to mourn.”
Ibrahim Nour
The Special Criminal Court was established in 2015, although it faced delays before becoming fully operational. Human Rights Watch has characterized its formation as a significant step forward in seeking justice for victims of grave offenses.
According to Patryk Labuda, an expert in international criminal law at the Polish Academy of Sciences, the issuance of the arrest warrant signals the court’s determination to pursue accountability for state-related misconduct.
“This arrest warrant is certainly one of the most high profile developments in the 5 years the court has operated.”
Patryk Labuda
Civil War Legacy and Ongoing Challenges
François Bozizé came to power through a coup in 2003 and was later ousted by predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels around a decade later.
This event sparked a civil war characterized by sectarian violence, atrocities, and the recruitment of child soldiers, involving clashes between the rebels and mainly Christian militias.
Bozizé faced sanctions from both the United States and the United Nations due to his alleged role in escalating the violence.
The United Nations, which maintains a peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, estimates that the conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of over a million individuals, equivalent to approximately one-fifth of the country’s population.
Despite a peace agreement reached in 2019 between the government and 14 armed groups, ongoing fighting persists.
According to the government’s report earlier this year, approximately 10,000 children are still involved in combat alongside armed groups in the Central African Republic, more than a decade after the civil war initially erupted.
“It’s a great day for us victims to learn that François Bozizé is the target of an international arrest warrant,” said Audrey Yamalé, a member of the Association of Victims of the 2013 Crisis.
“But let’s not stop there. We would like Guinea Bissau to cooperate in his extradition.”
Audrey Yamalé
In the pursuit of justice, the Special Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for ex-President François Bozizé signifies a pivotal moment for accountability.
Victims and advocates view this as progress, though challenges remain, including securing cooperation for extradition from Guinea Bissau.
