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Central African Republic

Situation in the Central African Republic

ICC-01/05

Situation referred to the ICC by the CAR Government: December 2004

ICC investigations opened: May 2007

Current focus: Alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the context of a conflict in CAR since 1 July 2002, with the peak of violence in 2002 and 2003. (See CAR II for the situation in CAR from 2012 onward.)

Current regional focus: Throughout CAR

Pre-Trial Chamber II

Jurisdiction in the general situation

CAR ratified the Rome Statute on 3 October 2001 and referred the situation in its territory since 1 July 2002 to the ICC. The ICC therefore may exercise its jurisdiction over crimes listed in the Rome Statute committed on the territory of CAR or by its nationals from 1 July 2002 onwards.

Context and alleged crimes

The ICC's investigation in CAR I focussed on alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the context of a conflict in CAR since 1 July 2002, with the peak of violence in 2002 and 2003. (See CAR II for the situation in CAR from 2012 onward.)

In opening the investigation in May 2007, the Office of the Prosecutor issued a press release stating: "Based on a preliminary analysis of alleged crimes, the peak of violence and criminality occurred in 2002 and 2003. Civilians were killed and raped; and homes and stores were looted. The alleged crimes occurred in the context of an armed conflict between the government and rebel forces. This is the first time the Prosecutor is opening an investigation in which allegations of sexual crimes far outnumber alleged killings. (…) Hundreds of rape victims have come forward to tell their stories, recounting crimes acted out with particular cruelty. Reports detailing their accounts were ultimately provided to the Prosecutor's Office. Victims described being raped in public; being attacked by multiple perpetrators; being raped in the presence of family members; and being abused in other ways if they resisted their attackers. Many of the victims were subsequently shunned by their families and communities."

The investigation has produced one main case, The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, involving charges of the following crimes:

war crimes: murder, rape and pillaging; and
crimes against humanity: murder and rape

Proceedings began in another case involving charges against five suspects for offences against the administration of justice allegedly committed in connection with the case of The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo.

Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, regarding increased violence in CAR: “crimes must stop!”

Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, regarding the recent upsurge of violence in the Central African Republic

“Cooperation underpins efforts to deliver justice to the victims”: the ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, meets a government delegation from the Central African Republic

Cases in the Central African Republic

Please see the cases for case-related Court records, transcripts and news.

CASES

ONGOING TRIALS

WARRANTS OF ARREST

ACCUSED IN CUSTODY

SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY

Bemba Case

Appeals

Found guilty, on 21 March 2016, of two counts of crimes against humanity (murder and rape) and three counts of war crimes (murder, rape, and pillaging). The crimes were committed in Central African Republic ("CAR") from on or about 26 October 2002 to 15 March 2003 ("2002-2003 CAR Operation") by a contingent of Mouvement de Libération du Congo ("MLC") troops. Mr Bemba was a person effectively acting as a military commander with effective authority and control over the forces that committed the crimes. Sentenced, on 21 June 2016, to 18 years of imprisonment.

Next steps: appeals and victims' reparations

Case information sheet: English, Français