ICC Hearing on Reparations, Yekatom and Ngaïssona Case, Situation in the Central African Republic II

For the first time in the Court’s history, sentencing was delivered alongside the judgment. Mr Yekatom was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment, and Mr Ngaïssona to 12 years. Time already spent in detention will be deducted.

Alfred Yekatom was convicted of crimes he directly committed, including murder, forcible transfer/displacement and deportation, directing an attack against a building dedicated to religion, torture, cruel treatment, other inhumane acts, imprisonment and other severe deprivation of physical liberty, and persecution. These crimes were committed during the Anti-Balaka attacks on Bangui, the events at Yamwara, and the advance along the PK9-Mbaïki axis. Mr Yekatom exercised full command and control over his group, which was part of the broader Anti-Balaka movement.

Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona was convicted of aiding and abetting crimes committed in the same context, including the coordinated attacks on Bangui and Bossangoa, the Yamwara events, and the PK9-Mbaïki advance. His conviction includes charges of murder, forcible transfer/displacement and deportation, directing an attack against a building dedicated to religion, torture, cruel treatment, other inhumane acts, imprisonment and other severe deprivation of physical liberty, destruction of property and persecution. This decision was by majority in relation to the war crime of torture and the war crime and crime against humanity of murder concerning Saint Cyr. Judge Kovács dissented in this regard.

The judgment also highlights that while the attacks disproportionately targeted Muslim civilians, the conflict was not religious in origin. Rather, religious identity was exploited by political and military actors to legitimise violence and galvanise support.