Abdoulaye Hissène Faces Charges in the Central African Republic

Recently, the Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic announced charges against Abdoulaye Hissène for war crimes against humanity. Hissène is the former leader of Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic (FPRC), an armed group. His charges reflect a shift in accountability for leaders in CAR and a higher sense of safety for citizens.

Hissène faces 20 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for crimes committed against Muslim civilians in the CAR by his defense militias in 2013 and 2014. His groups are suspected of war crimes, according to the International Criminal Court. These crimes include torture, rape, murder and the destruction of property.

In 2015, Hissène’s fighters were implicated in violence against Bangui in 2015. Between 2014 and 2017, the Human Rights Watch documented hundreds killed and thousands of homes destroyed by these fighters. Hissène was initially arrested in 2016, but his men broke him out of prison. 

After this time period, he faced consequences from other governments. In 2017, he was sanctioned by the United States and the UN for his crimes. In 2018, he was convicted in Bangui in absentia for charges of association with criminals, possession of illegal weapons, undermining state security, and rebellion.

Since then, he has remained in Bangui without any additional charges in CAR. His refusal to back a rebel coalition in Bangui put him in good standing with the Bangui government. On September 4, 2023, authorities arrested him in his Bangui home to face his charges. Some question whether he will remain in prison after his previous escape. However, this arrest will hopefully provide a new sense of accountability. The arrest sends a warning to others who are in power, and could potentially protect the country from having other leaders commit similar acts.

Florent Vergnes / AFP via Getty Images | Edited by the GorStra Team