The International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 14 announced that former militia leader Maxime Jeoffroy Eli Mokom Gawaka (Mokom), who is suspected to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Central African Republic (CAR), has been surrendered by the Republic of Chad. A warrant for his arrest was issued in December 2018, when the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber II determined that Mokom was the “National Coordinator of Operations” for the Anti-Balaka militia. In this capacity, he is believed to have committed murder, deportation, imprisonment, torture, persecution and other crimes against humanity. He also allegedly committed war crimes by targeting civilians.
The ICC issued the arrest warrant following the Chamber’s determination that a “non-international armed conflict” occurred in the CAR between September 2013 and December 2014, with the Seleka and the Anti-Balaka the principal antagonists. The Seleka is a coalition of armed groups comprising Muslims who took up arms against then-president François Bozizé. The Anti-Balaka then rose in support of Bozizé, and to fight the Seleka. The Chamber found that attacks had been carried out by the Anti-Balaka against the Muslim civilian population, Seleka supporters, and others perceived to be “foreigners.” As leader of the Anti-Balaka, Mokom allegedly committed the crimes in pursuit of “an organisational policy to target primarily the Muslim population in Bangui,” the country’s capital.
In 2014, the CAR government referred the situation involving crimes committed by both the Seleka and the Anti-Balaka to the ICC. The ICC Prosecutor then opened an investigation. The violence caused thousands of deaths and large-scale displacement.
From Jurist, March 15. Used with permission.
Map via Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
Four CAR ex-militia leaders face trial at Hague
Two other former Anti-Balaka leaders, Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and Alfred Yekatom, are already on trial at the ICC. In September, an alleged Seleka leader will go on trial at the ICC to face similar charges. (Al Jazeera)
ICC withdraws charges against former CAR minister
International Criminal Court prosecutors stated Oct. 19 that they have requested to withdraw all charges against Maxime Mokom, former minister of disarmament in the Central African Republic. Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan submitted a notice to the court’s pre-trial chamber stating that “the Prosecution does not presently consider that there is a reasonable prospect of conviction.” (Jurist)