In a landmark case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, prosecutors on Tuesday delivered closing arguments against Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, an alleged commander of the Seleka rebel group from the Central African Republic (CAR). Said faces multiple charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including torture, persecution, and enforced disappearances during the 2013 conflict in Bangui, the nation’s capital. The violence erupted between the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels, who had overthrown then-President Francois Bozize, and the Christian anti-Balaka militia. Deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang detailed the atrocities, stating that women, children, the elderly, and disabled individuals were subjected to horrific abuse, including rape and torture. Said has pleaded not guilty, with his defense team arguing that the evidence is unreliable and insufficient to link him to the crimes. The defense will present its closing arguments later this week. If convicted, Said could face life imprisonment. This trial marks the conclusion of the last active case at the ICC, which has faced significant challenges, including sanctions from the Trump administration and internal investigations into its leadership. The court has previously convicted two senior anti-Balaka leaders in July for similar crimes, highlighting its ongoing efforts to address impunity in CAR.
Closing statements begin in ICC trial of alleged Central African Republic militia commander
