ICC convicts Yekatom and Ngaïssona of war crimes and crimes against humanity, sentencing them to 15 and 12 years of imprisonment

For the first time in the Court’s history, sentencing was delivered alongside the judgment. Mr Yekatom was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment, and Mr Ngaïssona to 12 years. Time already spent in detention will be deducted. 

This judgment arrives over 10 years after the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR II) was referred to the ICC in 2014 and following four years of trial. Bruno Hyacinthe Gbiegba, the Secretary General of the Central African Coalition for the ICC (CCCPI), expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the trial, stating that justice had been served in a fair setting where both the victims and the accused were able to present their arguments. 

“Since the start of armed conflict in the Central African Republic, the widespread violence committed in 2013 has left behind a heavy legacy of human rights violations, including massacres, rape, deportations, and systematic destruction. These atrocities, often perpetrated by various armed groups, have undermined the country's stability and prevented the establishment of a genuine process of national reconciliation. International justice, particularly through the International Criminal Court (ICC), has played an essential role in the quest for truth, accountability, and reparations for victims”, highlights the CCCPI. 

War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity committed in the Situation in the Central African Republic II 

Alfred Yekatom was convicted of crimes he directly committed, including murder, forcible transfer/displacement and deportation, directing an attack against a building dedicated to religion, torture, cruel treatment, other inhumane acts, imprisonment and other severe deprivation of physical liberty, and persecution. These crimes were committed during the Anti-Balaka attacks on Bangui, the events at Yamwara, and the advance along the PK9-Mbaïki axis. Mr Yekatom exercised full command and control over his group, which was part of the broader Anti-Balaka movement. 

Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona was convicted of aiding and abetting crimes committed in the same context, including the coordinated attacks on Bangui and Bossangoa, the Yamwara events, and the PK9-Mbaïki advance. His conviction includes charges of murder, forcible transfer/displacement and deportation, directing an attack against a building dedicated to religion, torture, cruel treatment, other inhumane acts, imprisonment and other severe deprivation of physical liberty, destruction of property and persecution. This decision was by majority in relation to the war crime of torture and the war crime and crime against humanity of murder concerning Saint Cyr. Judge Kovács dissented in this regard. 

The judgment also highlights that while the attacks disproportionately targeted Muslim civilians, the conflict was not religious in origin. Rather, religious identity was exploited by political and military actors to legitimise violence and galvanise support. 

A step forward in the fight against impunity 

“This conviction is a powerful affirmation that those responsible for atrocity crimes under the Rome Statute will be held accountable”, highlighted ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang. “It reinforces the fundamental principle that civilians must be protected in times of armed conflict. The judgment vindicates the rights of victims and delivers a message that impunity will not prevail – whether on the battlefield or in the corridors of power.” 

“The ICC’s long-awaited first judgment for serious crimes committed in Central African Republic since 2012 provides an important measure of justice for victims of anti-balaka abuses,” said Lewis Mudge, Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “But this verdict also highlights that more is needed, and both the ICC and courts in the Central African Republic should address the persistent accountability gap for serious crimes in the country.” 

Remaining gaps in accountability 

The Chamber did not uphold charges against Mr Ngaïssona for pillaging, rape, or attacking religious buildings in Bossangoa. Similarly, by majority, the charge against Mr Yekatom for conscripting and using children under 15 in hostilities was not upheld.  

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) regrets “the absence of convictions for rape and the use of child soldiers, crimes that are nonetheless well documented in the Central African Republic.” 

Following the judgement, the parties will be able to submit an appeal to the ICC’s Appeals Chamber. 

Trial judgment  Summary of the judgment

Background 

The Central African Republic ratified the ICC Rome Statute in October 2001 and referred the situation in its territory to the ICC since 1 July 2002. 

In May 2007, the Court opened a first investigation on the situation in the Central African Republic, known as “CAR I,” which focuses on alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the context of a conflict in CAR since 1 July 2002, with a focus on events in 2022 and 2003. 

The CAR II situation was opened in September 2014, following a referral by the CAR government on 30 May 2014, with a focus on war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the country since 1 August 2012. 

On 11 November 2019, ICC judges issued an arrest warrant against Mr. Yekatom, and he was surrendered to the ICC by the CAR authorities on 17 November 2018. On 7 December 2018, ICC judges issued an arrest warrant against Mr. Ngaïssona. He was arrested by the French authorities on 12 December 2018 and transferred to the ICC on 23 January 2019.  

The trial opened on 16 February 2021 with closing statements taking place from 9-12 December 2024.  

Further resources 

• International Federation for Human Rights. Ngaïssona and Yekatom referred to trial at the ICC: two key figures of the Central African crisis set to be tried – available in French (18 December 2019) 

• Coalition for the ICC. ICC Pre Trial Chamber II confirms charges against Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona (CAR II Investigation) (17 December 2019) 

• Human Rights Watch. A Moment for Justice in the Central African Republic: ICC Rules Trial of Militia Leaders Can Proceed (13 December 2019)  

• Statement of the Central African Coalition for the ICC regarding the Confirmation of Charges in the Case of Ngaissona and Yekatom (11 December 2019) 

Image: © ICC-CPI. On 24 July 2025, Trial Chamber V of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) issued its verdict in the case The Prosecutor v. Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona. The Chamber found Mr Ngaïssona and Mr Yekatom guilty beyond any reasonable doubt of a number of war crimes and crimes against humanity which took place in Bangui and the west of the Central African Republic (“CAR”) between September 2013 and at least February 2014.