A former African football official has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in orchestrating deadly militia attacks during the brutal conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR). The conviction, delivered by the International Criminal Court (ICC), found the ex-football chief guilty of 28 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Once a prominent figure in African sports and politics, he was found to have played a central role in coordinating attacks that targeted Muslim civilians in CAR during the 2013–2014 crisis. His conviction came alongside that of a former militia commander and parliamentarian, who was handed a 15-year sentence after being found guilty on 20 similar charges.
The trial, which spanned nearly four years, relied on the testimony of more than 170 witnesses and over 20,000 pieces of evidence, including horrific accounts of murder, torture, and religious persecution. The events stemmed from a power struggle that erupted when the Muslim-dominated Séléka rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, prompting the rise of Christian-led anti-Balaka militias.
The former football official declared himself the political coordinator of the anti-Balaka movement, using his influence to supply arms, funds, and strategic direction to the militias. The court heard how he was instrumental not only in encouraging the violence but also in planning and facilitating attacks that decimated Muslim communities.
One of the deadliest episodes occurred in December 2013, particularly in the capital, Bangui, where coordinated assaults led by anti-Balaka forces resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 civilians. Witnesses described chilling scenes of mass killings, mutilations, and people being buried alive.
The militia leader, who later became a lawmaker, was found to have directly commanded these attacks. Despite his political role, he remained a notorious figure, once firing a weapon inside parliament.
The ICC’s verdict has been hailed as a milestone in the fight against impunity, especially for victims of atrocities committed during CAR’s conflict. Human rights organizations welcomed the ruling as long-overdue justice for survivors.
The football official was arrested in 2018 and transferred to the ICC in 2019. His sentencing reinforces the growing international resolve to hold powerful individuals accountable, regardless of their public stature or past affiliations.
