In the CAR, the Special Criminal Court issued this Tuesday an international arrest warrant against former President François Bozizé for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by soldiers in a prison between 2009 and 2013. Reversed from power eleven years ago by the Seleka rebellion, François Bozizé currently lives in Guinea-Bissau, in accordance with a peace agreement signed in Luanda in 2021 between the Central African authorities and armed groups.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Bangui, Rolf-Steve Domia-Leu
In its press release, the Special Criminal Court specifies that this international arrest warrant targets crimes such as: murder, forced disappearance of people, serious deprivation of physical liberty or attack on the dignity of others.
“ François Bozizé Yangouvonda is considered a suspect before the Special Criminal Court for his individual and hierarchical responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity. These crimes were committed in the town of Bossembélé, in a detention camp that he himself created to lock up people who opposed his power and his opinions. », Explains Gervais Opportun Bodagaye, spokesperson for the SPC.
François Bozizé, president from 2003 to 2013, is currently in exile in Guinea-Bissau since March 2023. The SPC is therefore seeking cooperation from the Guinean authorities. “ The Special Criminal Court collaborates with the Guinea-Bissau. Discussions focus on his extradition to the Central African Republic where the SCC headquarters are located. Then the procedure will begin so that a trial can be held », Adds the spokesperson.
Some cadres of his political movement Kwa Na Kwa see it as a political maneuver. Aged 77, François Bozizé was tried in absentia, by the Bangui public prosecutor’s office, for “conspiracy » and “rebellion “. He was sentenced in September 2023 to forced labor for life.
Read alsoCentral African Republic: ex-president François Bozizé and rebel leaders sentenced to life in absentia
For the moment, the Central African authorities have not yet officially reacted to the arrest warrant against the ex-president.