Amnesty International has expressed its approval of the Central African Republic’s Special Criminal Court’s (SCC) recent conviction of six former combatants in the Ndélé 2 case for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The rights group described the verdict as a “breakthrough in the fight against impunity in the country.”
The trial led to the convictions, although it was noted that four of the defendants were tried in absentia. Alice Banens, a legal adviser at Amnesty International, underscored the importance of ensuring defendants’ rights to a fair trial, including the ability to be present at their trial, prepare their defense with counsel, and directly address the court. Banens also encouraged the enforcement of arrest warrants for several suspects who remain at large, in order to uphold the victims’ rights to truth, justice, and reparation, a sentiment echoed in Amnesty’s remarks.
The six individuals were found guilty of various crimes against humanity, including murder, attempted murder, inhuman acts, persecution, and war crimes. Sentences ranged from 18 to 25 years in prison. The case originated from violent acts by members of the Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic, a faction within the former Séléka coalition, resulting in significant casualties and displacement in Ndélé in March 2020. It first made its way to the SCC in 2020, with victim testimonies being collected in early 2025.
The establishment of the SCC has been deemed an intriguing development in international criminal law, akin to other hybrid tribunals such as the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). The court, functioning as a hybrid international entity, was established in Bangui in 2018, aiming to address the justice gap created by the absence of decisive ICC action in the region, a gap noted by international human rights scholars.
Staffed by a blend of international and Central African judges, prosecutors, and administrators, the SCC is integrated into the national judiciary and focuses on investigating and prosecuting serious international crimes committed since 2003. The Ndélé 2 case is only the third to be tried by the SCC, following the Paoua and Ndélé 1 cases.
Further details on the SCC’s mandate and its role within the CAR’s legal landscape can be found through additional resources on hybrid international courts.