By Gary Raynaldo  DIPLOMATIC TIMES Central African Republic militia leader Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona was arrested today in France pursuant to an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes, the ICC reported. The Hague-based war tribunal submitted a request to French authorities for the arrest and surrender of Ngaïssona to the Court upon completion of necessary national proceedings. According to the ICC, its Pre-Trial Chamber II – composed ofJudge Antoine Kesia‐Mbe Mindua, Presiding, Judge Tomoko Akane and Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala – issued the warrant of arrest against Ngaïssona on 7 December 2018 for his alleged criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the western part of the Central African Republic (“CAR”)between at least 5 December 2013 and at least December 2014.The Chamber was satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that an armed conflict not of an international character was ongoing on the territory of the CAR since at least September 2013 until at least December 2014 between the Seleka – a coalition of armed groups predominantly composed of Muslims – and the Anti-Balaka – a predominantly Christian counter movement to the Seleka. The Chamber also found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that, from at least September 2013 until at least December 2014, a widespread and systematic attack was carried out by the Anti-Balaka against the Muslim civilian population and anyone perceived to support the Seleka ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda Opened An Investigation Into CAR In 2014

“I welcome the arrest of the suspect, Mr Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, this morning in France. He is the second suspect arrested in the context of my Office’s ongoing investigations concerning all parties to the conflict in the Central African Republic (“CAR”). His arrest follows Mr Alfred Yekatom’s surrender to the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) in mid-November. I am confident that pursuant to the domestic proceedings already underway in France, Mr Ngaïssona will be transferred to the ICC in due course to face justice.” ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda

Per the ICC:   Ngaïssona – who was the most senior leader and the “Nationa General Coordinator” of the Anti-Balaka – is alleged to be responsible for crimes committed in this context in various locations in the CAR, including Bangui, Bossangoa, the Lobaye Prefecture, Yaloké, Gaga, Bossemptélé, Boda,Carnot and Berberati, between at least 5 December 2013 and at least December 2014, as follows: Crimes Against Humanity:   murder and attempted murder,extermination, deportation or forcible transfer of population, imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, persecution, enforced disappearance and other inhumane acts; and War Crimes:    murder and attempted murder,torture, cruel treatment, mutilation, intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population, intentionally directing an attack against personnel,installations, material, units or vehicles involved in a humanitarian assistance, intentionally directing an attack against buildings dedicated to religion, pillaging , enlistment of children under the age of 15 years and their use to participate actively in hostilities , displacement of the civilian population and destroying or seizing the property of an adversary. On 30 May 2014, the Government of the CAR referred the situation in the CAR since 1 August 2012 to the ICC Court. The situation reportedly involved alleged crimes committed by both the Seleka and the Anti Balaka. The violence allegedly led to thousands of deaths and left hundreds of thousands displaced. On 24 September 2014, the ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, opened an investigation in relation to this situation. Last Month,  ICC Arrested Another CAR Militia Leader For War Crimes 

The former militia leader will face trial for alleged crimes against humanity. The opening of the confirmation of charges hearing was scheduled for 30 April 2019.  The ICC had issued a warrant of arrest against Yekatom on 11 November 2018 for his alleged criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in western CAR between December 2013 and August 2014.

Amnesty International Says ICC Arrest ‘Deals Major Blow’ Against Atrocities 

“Today’s arrest sends a hopeful message that all those responsible for past and ongoing crimes under international law in CAR will be brought to justice – either at the ICC, in national courts or the country’s hybrid Special Criminal Tribunal,” Samira Daoud, West and Central Africa Deputy Director Amnesty International.

“This is a major step forward in the fight against impunity in the Central African Republic.,”  AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL