Time for Bozizé to Face Justice; Guinea-Bissau Should Facilitate Extradition
By Lewis Mudge, Director of Central Africa
A New Era for Accountability in the Central African Republic?
Yesterday, the Special Criminal Court (SCC) in the Central African Republic issued an arrest warrant for former president François Bozizé, charging him with crimes against humanity committed between 2009 and 2013. The charges stem from alleged abuses by the Presidential Guard and other security services at a military training center known as “Guantanamo” north of Bangui.
A Harrowing Account
In April 2013, I interviewed 10 former detainees who described harrowing conditions, including near-starvation, beatings, torture, and extrajudicial executions. The testimonies painted a stark picture of the atrocities committed during Bozizé’s presidency. Later, I was taken to see two cells on either side of Bozizé’s private villa, concrete shafts with barely enough space for a person to stand.
The SCC: A Pioneering Court
The SCC is a pioneering court established to investigate and prosecute serious international crimes committed in Central African Republic since 2003. The court combines national and international judges and personnel.
Bozizé’s Flight and Impunity
Bozizé fled Bangui in March 2013 as the Seleka rebel coalition took control, amid widespread abuse, much of which was perpetrated by his presidential guard. His departure marked the beginning of a cycle of violence and impunity that has persisted to this day. Bozizé returned to the country in 2019 and later emerged as a key leader in a rebel coalition that attacked Bangui in late 2020 before going into hiding in Guinea-Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau’s Role
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló expressed surprise at the arrest warrant, stating that Bozizé had not committed any actions in Guinea-Bissau to question his exile status. However, Guinea-Bissau now has an opportunity to play a crucial role in bringing Bozizé to justice.
The Need for Extradition
Bozizé’s impunity has been a glaring example of the Central African Republic’s failure to hold perpetrators accountable for over a decade. It is imperative that Guinea-Bissau takes concrete steps to facilitate his extradition and ensure he faces justice for his alleged crimes.
Key Points
- The Special Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for former president François Bozizé, charging him with crimes against humanity.
- Bozizé’s presidency was marked by widespread abuses, including near-starvation, beatings, torture, and extrajudicial executions.
- Guinea-Bissau has the opportunity to play a crucial role in bringing Bozizé to justice through extradition.
- It is imperative that Guinea-Bissau takes concrete steps to facilitate Bozizé’s extradition and ensure he faces justice for his alleged crimes.