Admin I Monday, August 14, 2023
HAGUE – The International Criminal Court, ICC has confirmed the trial of Maxime Jeoffroy Eli Mokom Gawaka, ally of former President of Central African Republic, (CAR) Francois Bozize and coordinator of anti-balaka movement.
Maxime Jeoffroy Eli Mokom Gawaka is being tried for war crimes by the ICC for the role he played as senior leader of the Anti-Balaka – a movement opposed to the Seleka and supportive of former CAR president François Bozizé – and the de facto coordinator responsible for the group’s military operations and killing dozens of civilians.
In this role, Mr Mokom is alleged to bear individual criminal responsibility for the following crimes from at least 5 December 2013 through at least the end of April 2014: directing attacks against the civilian population (as a war crime) murder (as a war crime and a crime against humanity), rape (as a war crime and crime against humanity), directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion (as a war crime), destruction of property (as a war crime), pillage (as a war crime), deportation and forcible transfer (as a war crime and a crime against humanity), severe deprivation of personal liberty (as a crime against humanity) and persecution (as a crime against humanity).
Hearing in the case opens on 22 August 2023 at 9:30 at the Hague before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Pre-Trial Chamber II is composed of Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala (Presiding Judge), Judge Tomoko Akane, and Judge Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez.
The hearing is scheduled to last from 22 to 24 August 2023 in Courtroom II. The Prosecution, the Defence and the Legal Representatives of Victims will make oral submissions before the judges to present their arguments on the merits.
The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged.
If one or more of the charges are confirmed, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.
According to the Prosecution’s Document Containing the Charges, from at least September 2013, Mr Maxime Jeoffroy Eli Mokom Gawaka was a senior leader of the Anti-Balaka – a movement opposed to the Seleka and supportive of former CAR president François Bozizé – and the de facto coordinator responsible for the group’s military operations.
According to the Prosecution, Mr Mokom played a critical role in organising the Anti-Balaka’s attacks in Bangui and Bossangoa in December 2013. In January 2014, Mr Mokom was formally designated as the Anti-Balaka National Coordinator for Operations, and held this senior position throughout 2014. Mr Mokom allegedly monitored and facilitated the activities of Anti-Balaka chiefs and or zone commanders (“ComZones”) on the ground. He allegedly liaised directly with local commanders and with senior members of the National Coordination.
In this role, Mr Mokom is alleged to bear individual criminal responsibility for the following crimes from at least 5 December 2013 through at least the end of April 2014: directing attacks against the civilian population (as a war crime) murder (as a war crime and a crime against humanity), rape (as a war crime and crime against humanity), directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion (as a war crime), destruction of property (as a war crime), pillage (as a war crime), deportation and forcible transfer (as a war crime and a crime against humanity), severe deprivation of personal liberty (as a crime against humanity) and persecution (as a crime against humanity).
On 14 March 2022, Mr Mokom was surrendered to the Court by the authorities of the Republic of Chad on account of an ICC warrant of arrest issued under seal on 10 December 2018. His initial appearance before the ICC took place on 22 March 2022.
