Former Militia Commander Faces Trial at ICC for War Crimes in the Central African Republic
War crimes prosecutors will appeal to judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to bring a former militia commander to trial for orchestrating revenge attacks against Muslim civilians in the Central African Republic. The accused, Maxime Mokom, 44, is facing 20 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for the atrocities committed by his self-proclaimed self-defense militias between 2013 and 2014.
The Central African Republic, one of the world’s poorest countries, descended into a bloody sectarian conflict after Seleka rebels ousted President Francois Bozize in early 2013. In response to the takeover of Bangui by the Seleka, a coalition of armed groups primarily composed of Muslims opposed to Bozize’s rule, Mokom’s militia, known as the anti-Balaka or anti-machete, was formed.
Over the course of a three-day hearing at the ICC in The Hague, prosecutors will present evidence to support their claims that Mokom, who they allege was a key military organizer of the anti-Balaka forces, should stand trial. It will be up to the judges to decide whether Mokom should face the charges.
Mokom was responsible for military operations conducted by the anti-Balaka group, which supported Bozize and primarily consisted of Christian and animist members. Prosecutors assert that Mokom provided logistical support for military operations, including funding, weapons, medication, and ammunition.
With the aim of reinstating Bozize as the leader, Mokom played a critical role in planning and coordinating the anti-Balaka’s attacks on the capital city of Bangui and the town of Bossangoa in late 2013. The charges leveled against him include directing attacks targeting civilians, murder, rape, pillaging, destruction of property, and attacks on religious buildings, including mosques.
The anti-Balaka attacks forced over 100,000 Muslim civilians to flee Bangui, seeking refuge in neighboring Cameroon and Chad. Many of them embarked on arduous journeys lasting weeks, constantly pursued by the anti-Balaka. Others were confined to enclaves after being displaced.
Even after the Seleka forces retreated from Bangui, the anti-Balaka continued their attacks on Muslim civilians until at least December 2014. These attacks were both widespread and systematic, leaving the Muslim population with a stark ultimatum: leave the Central African Republic or face certain death.
Although peace agreements were signed in 2017 and 2019, they have not been honored on the ground. Numerous armed groups, rebels, and assailants persist in launching sporadic attacks against the Central African army, which is supported by mercenaries from the Russian private security company Wagner. Both sides have been accused of committing crimes and abuses against civilians by international NGOs and UN-mandated experts.
Maxime Mokom was handed over to the ICC by Chadian authorities last year, following the issuance of an arrest warrant in 2018. Two other former anti-Balaka leaders, Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and Alfred Yekatom, are already on trial at the ICC. Last year, Seleka commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani denied the war crimes and crimes against humanity charges brought against him before the court.
Established in 2002, the ICC stands as the world’s lone independent tribunal with the ability to prosecute individuals accused of the gravest crimes. It remains to be seen whether the evidence presented by prosecutors will convince the judges to proceed with Maxime Mokom’s trial for his alleged war crimes in the Central African Republic.
