The trial in absentia of François Bozizé
By Isabella Luisa CAPELLI | LAMINE MÉDIA
(Bangui, 16 June 2026 – LNC) Today in Bangui, the Special Criminal Court (SCC) opens the trial in absentia of former President François Bozizé, accused of crimes against humanity, arbitrary detention and acts of torture, among other charges, committed between 2009 and 2013 in a prison and a military camp in Bossembélé, in the centre of the country. François Bozizé, 79, seized power in 2003 in a coup against Patassé, before being overthrown himself 10 years later by the Seleka. In late 2020, Bozizé took the helm of a new rebel alliance, the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), which threatened Touadéra’s government before Russia’s deployment of Wagner mercenaries enabled the government to drive it far from Bangui. The former head of state then went into exile, first to neighbouring Chad, and then to Guinea-Bissau from March 2023. On 22 September 2022, he was sentenced by a Central African court to life imprisonment with hard labour, notably for “conspiracy” and “rebellion” as leader of the CPC. This trial, known as the “Bossembélé trial”, also involves three of his former senior military officials, Eugène Barret Ngaïkosset, Vianney Semndiro and Firmin Junior Danboy, all three of whom are in pre-trial detention. At the time, in February 2024, the CPS had issued an international arrest warrant for Bozizé as part of an “investigation” into possible “crimes against humanity” committed by Mr Bozizé’s presidential guard between February 2009 and March 2013 in a “civilian prison” and a “military training centre” in Bossembélé. Ultimately, the judges concluded that there was “serious and consistent incriminating evidence” against Mr Bozizé, “sufficient to establish his criminal liability”, “in his capacity as a superior officer and military commander”.
Thanks to the legal department of LAMINE MÉDIA for the information
LNC
Date: 16 June 2026
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