Two CAR militia chiefs face serious charges at Hague court
Prosecutors at International Criminal Court present case against two Central African Republic militia leaders. Both men face multiple charges for actions during religious conflict about a decade ago
At the International Criminal Court in Hague prosecutors made their case against two high-ranking Central African Republic militia chiefs. The accused - Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona and Alfred Yekatom (known as Rambo) stood trial for actions during religious violence about 10 years ago
The pair led an anti-muslim militia group called anti-Balaka which fought against Seleka rebels in a bloody conflict; their actions included attacks on regular people torture and killings. Ngaïssona‚ who once ran CARʼs football federation and Yekatom - a feared commander got charged with multiple war-time offenses
The prosecutors feel sure about proving guilt saying they have strong proof against both men. The charges show how the anti-Balaka group (made up mostly of Christian fighters) took part in violence against civilians during fights with muslim Seleka forces: these clashes happened around 2013-14 in different parts of the country
The court looked at evidence showing how the accused used their power to control militia members who did terrible things to regular people. Both men were in charge during a time when their group attacked villages killed people and made many run from their homes
