The International Criminal Court (ICC) has convicted two top figures involved in the Central African Republic’s 2013–2014 civil war.
Former sports Minister and football official, Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, and ex-lawmaker Alfred Yekatom, were found guilty of multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Yekatom, who led fighters on the ground, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for 20 counts including murder, torture, and mutilation. Ngaissona, described as a senior commander of the anti-Balaka militias, got 12 years for 28 similar charges.
According to reports, the anti-Balaka group, made up mostly of Christian fighters, emerged in response to attacks by the Muslim-led Seleka rebels who overthrown President Francois Bozize at the time.
Both men pleaded not guilty, but were convicted on most charges. However, Yekatom was acquitted of recruiting child soldiers, while Ngaissona was cleared of rape charges.