An international arrest warrant has been issued for the former President of the Central African Republic, François Bozizé, by the Special Criminal Court in Bangui. The warrant is in connection to human rights abuses committed under Bozizé’s leadership from 2009 to 2013. These abuses took place at a civilian prison and military training center in the city of Bossembélé, where many people were tortured and killed. Bozizé currently lives in exile in Guinea-Bissau, and the country’s President has not yet received a request for extradition as their laws do not allow for it. Ibrahim Nour, whose father was a victim of the abuses, welcomed the arrest warrant as a step towards justice for those affected.
The creation of the Special Criminal Court in 2015 was seen as a significant step towards seeking justice for victims of serious crimes in the Central African Republic. The court, which took several years to begin operating, has been described by Human Rights Watch as a landmark for promoting accountability for war crimes and human rights violations. The arrest warrant issued for Bozizé by the court sends a strong message about its intention to prosecute wrongdoing by the state. The court’s actions have been seen as a positive development in the fight for justice in the country.
François Bozizé seized power in a coup in 2003 and was later ousted by Seleka rebels in 2013. This led to a civil war marked by sectarian violence, atrocities, and the recruitment of child soldiers. Bozizé was accused of fueling the violence, resulting in sanctions being imposed on him by the U.S. and the United Nations. The conflict in the Central African Republic has resulted in the deaths of thousands and the displacement of over a million people. A peace deal was reached in 2019 between the government and armed groups, but fighting continues in the country.
It is estimated that around 10,000 children are still fighting alongside armed groups in the Central African Republic more than a decade after the civil war broke out. Victims of the violence have welcomed the issuance of the international arrest warrant for Bozizé, but are also hoping for cooperation from Guinea-Bissau in his extradition. As the court seeks to hold those responsible for human rights abuses to account, there is hope that justice will be served for the victims and their families who have suffered as a result of the conflict in the country. The pursuit of justice through the legal system is seen as a step towards reconciliation and healing for the Central African Republic.
