OVERVIEW OF THE JUDGMENT
It is pertinent to know that the judgment of the International Criminal Court, which was delivered on July 24, 2025, widened the scope of international criminal law, setting a pace for individual criminal responsibility under international law. The case of Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, which is a recent case delivered by the court, symbolises the unrelenting efforts of the court to prosecute individuals who breach the rules expressly spelt out in Articles 5-8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Alfred Rombhot Yekatom, who is a national of the Central African Republic, was born on 23 February 1975 in Bangui, the CAR. Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona is a national of the CAR and was born on 30 June 1967 in Bégoua, the CAR. Yekatom and Ngaïssona were tried by the court due to the part they took in the Central African Republic conflict between 2012 and 2014. These incidents, which took the lives of so many citizens of CAR, especially the incident that occurred in the town of Bassangoa, which took the lives of 18 innocent civilians, were described as war crimes against humanity. It is pertinent to know that Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, two high-ranking leaders of the Anti-Balaka militia group in the Central African Republic who carried out various atrocities against the Muslim communities, were found guilty of murder, direct attack against civilian populations, displacement, rape, torture, and enlistment and use of children under the age of 15 years to participate in active hostilities; this act is against Articles 5-8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The conflict in the Central African Republic, which started in 2012, became a major concern. This led to the United Nations Security Council on December 30, 2013, adopting Resolution 2127. The UNSC resolution imposes an arms embargo on CAR. This resolution was adopted by the United Nations Security Council due to the deteriorating situation of the conflict, which has claimed many lives in the African country.
It is pertinent to know that on the 30th of May, 2014, the CAR authorities referred the situation in the CAR to the Office of the ICC Prosecutor. The referral allowed the ICC to investigate and prosecute crimes committed in the CAR since August 1st, 2012. This referral by the CAR authorities is in consonance with Article 15 of the Rome Statute, which states that a state can refer any situation to the ICC for investigation and prosecution.
Following the referral, the ICC Prosecutor opened a formal investigation into the situation in CAR to determine whether crimes within the court’s jurisdiction had been committed, and a warrant of arrest was issued in November 2018 by Pre-Trial Chamber II against Yekatom and Ngaissona. They were surrendered to the court by the CAR and French authorities; initial proceedings against them took place immediately. The court conducted investigations into their atrocities, and they were found guilty of crimes charged under the Rome Statute, and they must be criminally responsible for these crimes. On July 24th, 2025, after the Trial Chamber V found them guilty as charged, Yekatom was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, and Ngaissona was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment.
THE IMPACT OF THE JUDGMENT ON INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW
It is very important to know that the judgment on international criminal law is not to be overemphasised, particularly in ongoing conflicts globally. The judgment sets important precedents for future cases, guiding judicial process and reinforcing international norms against impunity for grave crimes. The sentencing of Yekatom and Ngaissona enlarges the principle of individual criminal responsibility by holding them accountable for international crimes they committed in CAR; the judgment serves as a deterrent to potential war criminals, emphasising the risk of prosecution and punishment.
The judgment of Trial Chamber V of the ICC on Yekatom and Ngaissona promotes accountability for international crimes, as it was laid down in the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia case Prosecutor v Dusco Tadic and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda case Prosecutor v Jean-Paul Akayesu, encouraging states to align their domestic laws with international standards and fostering a culture of compliance with human rights norms. The judgment reinforces the role of international criminal law in global governance, promoting rule of law, justice and human rights across the globe.
Written by: Oloruntuyi Emmanuel Oluwaseun
Source: BarristerNG
