The trial of former Central African Republic President Francois Bozize began in absentia on Tuesday at a United Nations-backed court in the capital, Bangui. Bozize faces charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and rape, allegedly committed by his presidential guard between 2003 and 2013.
The proceedings are being held at the Special Criminal Court (SCC), a hybrid judicial body composed of both national and international judges. While Bozize remains in exile in Guinea-Bissau, three of his former senior military officers, Eugene Barret Ngaikosset, Vianney Semndiro, and Firmin Junior Danboy, are in pre-trial detention in the Central African Republic and are also defendants in the case.
The SCC was established to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the country since 2003. In 2024, the court issued an international arrest warrant for Bozize. The warrant related to an investigation into crimes allegedly committed by his security forces at a civilian prison and a military training facility in the town of Bossembele.
In their findings, the court’s judges stated there was “serious and consistent evidence against Bozize, likely to incur his criminal liability, in his capacity as hierarchical superior and military leader.”
Bozize took power in a coup in 2003 and led the country for 10 years. In 2013, he was overthrown by the Seleka, a coalition of rebel groups. His removal from power was followed by a period of civil conflict. In response, Bozize formed armed groups known as the Anti-balaka in an effort to regain control.
After leaving the country, Bozize returned in 2019 and announced his intention to run for president. However, the nation’s Constitutional Court barred his candidacy, citing a “good morality” requirement in relation to the allegations against him.
In late 2020, Bozize became the leader of a new rebel alliance, the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC). The group launched an offensive toward Bangui before being repelled by government forces, who received support from Russian military contractors. Following the offensive’s failure, Bozize went into exile, first in Chad and later moving to Guinea-Bissau in 2023. Reports indicate Guinea-Bissau does not have an extradition agreement that would apply in this case.
