Credit: ©ICC-CPI /  Ngaïssona during his initial appearance before the ICC  in The Hague 25 January 2019

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC TIMES

Central African Republic militia leader Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona appeared for the first time before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC”)  in The Hague , Netherlands on Friday.  Ngaïssona was transferred to the Hague-based war tribunal on Wednesday for crimes against humanity. The  crimes were allegedly committed in the Central African Republic (“CAR”).   Pre-Trial Chamber II is composed of Judge Antoine Kesia‐Mbe Mindua, Presiding, Judge Tomoko Akane and Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala, according to the ICC. The hearing was held in the presence of the Prosecutor and the Defence.  Ngaïssona was represented by his Counsel Eric Plouvier.  During Friday’s proceeding,  The Chamber verified the identity of the suspect, and ensured that he was clearly informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed and of his rights under the Rome Statute of the ICC in a language he fully understands and speaks, the ICC reported. The opening of the confirmation of charges hearing was scheduled for 18 June 2019. The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, totally or partly, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.

According to  the ICC,  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 ICC stated  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.

Meanwhile, The ICC Acquitted  Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo Of War Crimes Last Week 

Credit: ICCtwitter.com / Laruent Gbagbo at Tuesday Jan. 15, 2019 court hearing in The Hague Netherlands.

The ICC on January 15 , 2019 cleared former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo of war crimes and ordered his release from The Hague-based detention centre.  ICC judges ordered the immediate release of the 73-year-old ex-leader, who was  the first head of state to stand trial at The Hague Netherlands war tribunal. The ICC also acquitted Gbagbo’s right-hand man Charles Blé Goudé  from all war crime charges. However, a last-minute appeal three days later by ICC Prosecutors  will keep former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo locked up in The Hague war tribunal pending a February 1, 2019 hearing on the status of Gbabgo’s detention.