ICC Convicts Seleka Commander for Central African Republic

The International Criminal Court has convicted former Seleka commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of crimes against humanity for abuses at a Bangui detention center in 2013. This marks a rare accountability step in the Central African Republic conflict, which erupted over a decade ago when predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power from then-President François Bozizé, sparking violence with the mainly Christian anti-Balaka militia.

Presiding Judge Miatta Maria Samba described the inhumane conditions detainees endured during a one-hour hearing in The Hague. Witnesses described cramped cells with walls marked by bullet holes and blood. They said they were whipped until they soiled themselves. Other victims testified to being confined in a windowless room under the floorboards of Said’s office.

Marius Olivier Trésor Poussinga, who was tortured at the center, said the verdict is an international recognition of Said’s crimes. He added that he can now sleep easier because the court has acknowledged his suffering. Arnaud Djoubaye Abazène welcomed the verdict, stating that no victim will be left behind and justice will be delivered at every level. Lewis Mudge, the Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch, called the conviction a significant milestone in the fight against impunity.

Widespread impunity persists despite judicial advances

While the ICC conviction represents progress, many responsible for Seleka and anti-Balaka crimes remain unpunished. Nouradine Adam, Seleka’s head of intelligence, remains at large despite an ICC arrest warrant issued in 2019. Lewis Mudge warned the country still faces serious challenges, calling the verdict a stark reminder of the ongoing abuses. He said increased support for international and domestic justice efforts is needed to end the accountability gap that fuels recurring cycles of violence.

In 2022, then-chief prosecutor Karim Khan closed the ICC’s 15-year investigation into crimes in the Central African Republic, citing limited resources. Khan was later removed from his post over allegations of sexual misconduct. Other cases have seen mixed results. In July 2025, two senior anti-Balaka leaders were convicted on multiple counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba was acquitted on appeal in 2018, and charges against a former Central African Republic government minister were dropped in 2023.

Domestic justice mechanisms emerge amid global threats to ICC

Domestic efforts are advancing alongside international ones. The Special Criminal Court, established to try war crimes and other human rights abuses committed during coups and violence since 2003, issued its first verdict in 2022. Backed by the United Nations and staffed with international judges, it has begun proceedings against former President François Bozizé. His trial is being held in absentia as he lives in exile in Guinea-Bissau.

These judicial steps unfold as the ICC faces unprecedented political attacks. The Trump administration has promised to dismantle the ICC brick by brick, taking offense over the court’s attempts to advance justice for Palestinians. It has imposed crippling sanctions on ICC officials and others supporting its work, prompting legal challenges from Human Rights Watch and partners. ICC members are urged to stand up for the court and those who make its work possible. At stake is the very idea that there should be no impunity for the most serious crimes, a situation that matters to victims in the Central African Republic and to all civilians caught in wars.

The Special Criminal Court continues proceedings against former President François Bozizé in absentia, with the court backed by the United Nations and staffed with international judges.