The International Criminal Court (ICC) has convicted Mahamat Saïd Abdel Kani, a 56-year-old former rebel commander from the Central African Republic, of four counts of crimes against humanity. The convictions were for his role in the 2013 civil war in Bangui, the capital city. According to the ICC, Mahamat Saïd supervised the torture and illegal imprisonment of detainees while leading the Office Central de Répression du Banditisme (OCRB).
The ICC found that Mahamat Saïd was responsible for overseeing the beating and ill-treatment of detainees. The court described the inhumane conditions in which prisoners were held, including being tied in painful positions, beaten with ropes or whips, and doused with water. Some detainees were imprisoned in a cramped, unsanitary, and windowless cell without access to basic amenities.
Mahamat Saïd was a key commander in the Séléka, a predominantly Muslim rebel coalition that overthrew President François Bozizé in 2013. This led to a new phase of the civil war and the formation of anti-Balaka militias, mainly composed of Christians and animists. The violence between the two groups resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
The ICC had previously convicted two anti-Balaka leaders, Patrice-Édouard Ngaïssona and Alfred Yekatom, in 2025. Ngaïssona received a 12-year prison sentence, while Yekatom was sentenced to 15 years. The ICC, established in 2002 and based in The Hague, prosecutes individuals accused of the most serious international crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The ICC acquitted Mahamat Saïd of three counts of war crimes. His sentencing will be determined at a later date. The court's decision marks a significant step in holding those responsible for atrocities committed during the Central African Republic's civil war accountable.
The civil war in the Central African Republic has had a profound impact on the country, resulting in widespread human suffering and displacement. The ICC's conviction of Mahamat Saïd Abdel Kani serves as a reminder of the international community's commitment to prosecuting those responsible for serious international crimes.
The ICC continues to investigate and prosecute international crimes committed in various countries, including the Central African Republic. The court's work aims to bring perpetrators to justice and provide redress to victims of international crimes.
Key points
- The ICC convicted Mahamat Saïd Abdel Kani of four counts of crimes against humanity committed during the 2013 civil war in the Central African Republic.
- Mahamat Saïd was a key commander in the Séléka rebel coalition that overthrew President François Bozizé in 2013.
- The ICC previously convicted two anti-Balaka leaders, Patrice-Édouard Ngaïssona and Alfred Yekatom, in 2025.
