**Former CAR President on Trial in Absentia for Crimes Against Humanity**
A United Nations-backed court in the Central African Republic (CAR) has initiated the trial in absentia of former president Francois Bozize, who faces serious allegations of crimes against humanity, including murder, enforced disappearances, torture, and rape. The trial commenced in the capital, Bangui, while Bozize remains in exile in Guinea-Bissau since March 2023.
Francois Bozize, who initially seized power in a coup in 2003, was ousted in 2013 by a coalition of predominantly Muslim rebels known as Seleka. His removal led to a civil war in the CAR, a nation that has struggled with instability and violence since gaining independence from France in 1960. Following his overthrow, Bozize allegedly formed armed groups, primarily composed of Christians and animists, known as Anti-balaka, in an attempt to reclaim power.
The Special Criminal Court (SCC), which is conducting the trial, is a hybrid court comprising both CAR and international judges. In 2024, the SCC issued an international arrest warrant for Bozize, citing an investigation into crimes committed by his Presidential Guard at a civilian prison and a military training center located in Bossembele. The court concluded that there was substantial evidence suggesting Bozize's criminal liability, given his role as a military leader and hierarchical superior.
Three of Bozize's former senior military officers—Eugene Barret Ngaikosset, Vianney Semndiro, and Firmin Junior Danboy—are currently in pre-trial detention in the CAR. Their involvement in the alleged crimes has been a focal point of the ongoing investigations.
The SCC is tasked with examining war crimes that have occurred in the CAR since 2003, a period marked by repeated cycles of armed conflict and governance crises. The court aims to address the legacy of violence and impunity that has plagued the nation for decades.
Bozize's political journey has been tumultuous. After fleeing to Cameroon via the Democratic Republic of the Congo following his ousting, he returned to the CAR in 2019 to announce his candidacy in the upcoming elections. However, the Constitutional Court disqualified him, citing a lack of "good morality" due to the serious allegations against him.
In late 2020, Bozize attempted to regain influence by leading a new rebel coalition known as the Coalition of Patriots for Change. This move posed a significant challenge to the current president, Faustin-Archange Touadera. However, the situation shifted when Russian paramilitaries from the Wagner Group were deployed to support the government, helping to repel the rebel threat.
Following these developments, Bozize fled to Chad and subsequently settled in Guinea-Bissau, a country that does not permit extradition, thereby complicating any potential efforts to bring him back to face trial.
As the trial progresses, it marks a significant step in the CAR's ongoing efforts to address past atrocities and seek justice for victims of the prolonged violence that has afflicted the nation. The proceedings will be closely monitored, both locally and internationally, as they unfold in a context where accountability for war crimes remains a critical issue.