Former Central African Republic (CAR) football federation president, Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, faced justice at the International Criminal Court (ICC) as he was found guilty of 28 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Alongside Alfred Yekatom, he was accused of orchestrating brutal assaults on the predominately Muslim population during the upheaval between 2013 and 2014.
Both men were convicted after a protracted trial that lasted nearly four years, featuring testimony from over 170 witnesses and an extensive array of evidence comprising nearly 20,000 items. Ngaïssona received a 12-year sentence while Yekatom received 15 years, as they were implicated in heinous acts including murder, torture, and persecution of a religious group.
The background to this violence can be traced back to 2013 when the Muslim-led Séléka coalition toppled the government, sparking retaliatory actions from Christian militias called the anti-Balaka. The ICC's ruling highlighted a systematic effort by both men to target Muslims, branding them as "enemies of the nation." Yekatom, also known as "Rambo," led assaults on civilians, allegedly permitting acts of horrifying violence including murder and torture.
Despite rejecting all charges during the trial, both men’s pasts reflect their deep involvement in the conflict. Ngaïssona, who has held various positions in CAR football, was barred from the presidential race in 2015 due to his connections to the atrocities. After his arrest in December 2018, he was taken to the ICC, advocating previously for a separation between sports and politics.
Yekatom, who gained notoriety as a former MP, was also arrested following an incident in parliament, indicating the chaotic environment in CAR governance. The case underscores the ongoing struggle for accountability in a nation grappling with protracted violence and instability, and marks a pivotal step toward addressing the culture of impunity threatening justice in the region.
