This, indeed, is a landmark step for justice and accountability in the Central African Republic (CAR) where former president François Bozizé should be prosecuted on charges of crimes against humanity. The move comes after years of unrest in the vast country, where Bozizé is charged with inciting violence that led to ethnic cleansing and the massive violation of human rights. For CAR, working towards durable peace and security has been a challenge and the trial of Bozizé is a big part of moving on and veracity to ease the suffering of rape survivors.
François Bozizé and the History of the Central African Republic
François Bozizé seized power in 2003 after leading a military coup that ousted President Ange-Félix Patassé. Séléka rebel coalition deposed Bozizé, who had ruled the CAR since 2003 in March 2013 after accusing his government of marginalizing the Muslim population in a bid to ignite ethnic division. His ousting sparked a civil war that has torn the Central African Republic to pieces for more than three decades, during which armed groups committed innumerable atrocities.
Bozizé’s regime was widely accused of human rights abuses and corruption during his time in power which traced the repression against the population. After being overthrown, Bozizé allied himself with anti-Balaka militias which were made up mostly of Christian fighters, and fought against Muslim Séléka rebels. This set off religious and ethnic violence with atrocities being carried out on both sides. Bozizé is charged with inciting and supporting the violence, which has included large-scale assaults against Muslim communities that amount to crimes against humanity. Ex-President François Bozizé charged with crimes against humanity in CAR
There Are Allegations of Crimes Against Humanity
The accusations against François Bozizé relate to the period of unrest that followed his 2013 overthrow. In the country’s sectarian conflict, anti-Balaka militias associated with Bozizé stand accused of mass killings, rape, and forced displacement during the conflict. Most of these crimes were targeted against the Muslim population, with Bozizé himself alleged to have helped plot and finance them.
During the conflict, various atrocities were committed and have been well-documented by international organizations and the United Nations. War crimes and crimes against humanity that the International Criminal Court(ICC), as well as CAR’s Special Criminal Court (SCC), have been looking into for years. Bozizé, in exile for most of the past decade, is enjoying little attention from parties seeking his extradition.
Last year, the Central African Republic government arrested former President Bozizé on charges of rebellion and crimes against humanity. He has, however, not yet been arrested or subjected to justice because he enjoys political protection and support from some color in CAR. The calls for Bozizé to face justice have grown even louder as international actors and human rights organizations push for a reckoning with the mass atrocities committed during his years in power. Ex-President François Bozizé charged with crimes against humanity in CAR
WHY CAR’S FUTURE DEPENDS ON JUSTICE
Justice for François Bozizé is key to the Central African Republic’s lasting peace and stability The country is split along religious and ethnic lines, the violence has erupted sporadically since peace agreements were signed in 2014, as international efforts to stabilize this central African country have largely failed. The prosecution of all those responsible for atrocities in the Central African Republic would not only challenge local and international impunity that has seen dozens of warlords and politicians evade justice but also be an important step toward reconciliation following a brutal civil war.
The post CAR: So that no one is left out in the forest! appeared first on Justice Hub. The failure to hold perpetrators of past crimes to account has bred distrust and resentment, blocking reconciliation among warring factions and the building of a cohesive national identity. CAR will demonstrate that no one is above the law, whoever it may be – Bozizé.
Exertion of International Pressure and Legal Steps
The U.N., the African Union, and the International Criminal Court have for years urged Bozizé to be brought to trial. The ICC has been looking into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in CAR since 2012. Some militia chiefs have been charged and sentenced, but the trial of Bozizé is a key point since he used to be head of state.
The Special Criminal Court (SCC) in CAR, set up with backing by the United Nations, has played a major role in probing violence during the war. If arrested and prosecuted, Bozizé would stand trial at the heart of the SCC. In this sense, international cooperation will be all the more necessary as Bozizé has spent a long period in exile and contains some level of support inside CAR. Ex-President François Bozizé charged with crimes against humanity in CAR
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While we have seen progress in justice for crimes that occurred during the civil war, serious obstacles remain. Bozizé still has political and military friends in his country, the Central African Republic (CAR), who would likely get very upset were he to go on trial. Others worry that trying Bozizé could stir more violence or upset fragile negotiations to end the war. But the rule of law must follow they argue and there can be no real peace unless those who commit atrocities face justice.
CAR’s weak justice system is under enormous strain. The capacity of the SCC and ICC to conduct investigations into such complex wartime crimes is even more so constrained by financial and political matters. A trial of Bozizé that is both fair and transparent will require support from abroad not only financially.
For the Central African Republic, a country working to emerge from years of bloody civil war, the crimes against humanity trial of ex-president François Bozizé could be historic. There is a huge imperative that Bozizé be brought to account for the atrocities under his rule, which is not only of justice to the victims but a necessary step toward CAR’s long-term process of peace and reconciliation. Despite the challenges, justice seeks to establish itself and serves as a clear message that impunity has no place in what continues to be a fragile process for CAR. Ex-President François Bozizé charged with crimes against humanity in CAR
