By John Ikani
Authorities in Chad have handed over former Central African Republic (CAR) militia leader, Maxime Mokom to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, The Hague court confirmed on Monday.
The crimes were allegedly committed by Mokom in Bangui and other locations in the Central African Republic in 2013 and 2014, the ICC said in a statement.
Mokom was the leader of an anti-Balaka militia and is suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in 2013 and 2014.
His arrest warrant was issued in 2018.
The ICC said Mokom, 43, is suspected of being responsible for extermination, forcible transfer of population, torture, mutilation and enlistment of child soldiers among other crimes.
The Hague-based court said Mokom appearance before a pre-trial chamber will take place in due course, according to a statement.
One of the poorest countries in the world, the CAR spiralled into conflict in 2013 when President Francois Bozize was ousted by a rebel coalition called the Seleka, drawn largely from the Muslim minority.
The coup triggered a sectarian bloodbath between “anti-Balaka” forces and Seleka rebels.
Two former anti-Balaka leaders, Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and Alfred Yekatom, are already on trial at the ICC.
An alleged Seleka leader will go on trial at the ICC in September to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
