Central African Republic: the Yekatom-Ngaïssonna trial at the ICC monitored from Bangui
The trial at the ICC of Yékatom Rombhot and Edouard Ngaïssona, two former supposed anti-balaka leaders, was broadcast in the courtroom of the Special Criminal Court (CPS), in Bangui, on Tuesday, February 16.
© Gaël Grilhot / RFI
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
The trial of two alleged anti-balakas leaders opened on Tuesday (February 16) before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
The start of a trial which was followed live in the premises of the new court of justice in the Central African Republic by a small audience, Covid-19 requires.
Among those who came, representatives of civil society and victims.
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With our correspondent in Bangui,
Charlotte Cosset
“
For me, it's a phew!
Rolin Sipathis is part of a civil society organization.
The start of this trial is a relief for him.
“
In the past, they have committed crimes,” he
recalls.
At the time, they thought they were powerful, untouchables.
Today, they come to court to answer for their actions.
"
►
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In the room, words resonate from The Hague.
Alfred Yekatom Rhombot and Patrice-Édouard Ngaïssona take the floor.
“
Mr. President, I do not recognize the charges against me, I am not guilty.
The two defendants plead not guilty.
On the wooden benches, in the audience, some are shaking their heads.
“
It hurts.
They should plead guilty for everything they have done, for everything they have done to the Central African population
, ”the man said calmly.
“
Yes, I am a little frustrated because I was the victim of sexual violence by elements of Ngaïssona.
When he said he was not guilty it frustrated and pissed me off.
It really hurts,
”says Euphrasie Yandocka for her part.
It is the start of a long trial and the victims are aware of it.
But it is also for them the beginning of the recognition of their sufferings.
►
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1,400 victims
In the box, at a good distance from each other, Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Édouard Ngaïssona listen, mask over their noses, to the long opening statement from the floor.
The first day, this Tuesday February 16, gave rise to the reading of the charges, 32 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity against the former Minister Ngaïssona, 21 against the ex-deputy “Rambo” Yekatom.
They are judged jointly for a "cycle of violence" that began in December 2013 and which led them, according to the prosecution, to articulate their actions to order or commit a litany of abuses until August 2014.
For several hours, five members of the prosecutor's office Fatou Bensouda follow one another to present what, according to them, proves the implication of the accused in war crimes and crimes against humanity: photos, videos, maps. , testimonies… 6000 elements in 150 witnesses which will be detailed at the Court next March.
They draw a portrait of two men who articulate their qualities: Alfred Yekatom, the former master corporal of the Central African Armed Forces who became an anti-balaka colonel, leads the actions on the ground.
Murders, torture, forced population displacements, enlistment of child soldiers, attacks on places of worship… It primarily targets Muslims, considered accomplices of their enemies of the Seleka.
Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, the former minister, rich and influential businessman, structure, finance, weapon, gives orders.
He goes abroad, to Cameroon, to France, meets former President Bozizé, whose name is mentioned several times.
He shares his goal of regaining power.
The anti-balakas are their soldiers, the violence, a consequence of the “
popular revolution
”, he will defend himself at the end of 2014, assuring that he has done everything to limit them.
The prosecutor's office will resume its statement on the morning of February 17.
Then will follow the lawyers of the more than 1,400 victims listed by the court.
The first phase of this trial lasts until Thursday.
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