The Central African Republic’s Special Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for former President Francois Bozizé, a development reported by TASS based on the court’s Bangui notification. The document marks a significant move in addressing alleged crimes linked to the nation’s recent turbulent history.
The warrant is said to have been issued on 27 February as part of an ongoing investigation into potential crimes against humanity carried out by the Presidential Guard at Bosembele prison and military training facilities between February 2009 and March 2013. Those familiar with the case describe the investigation as examining the actions of senior officers during a period of intense political upheaval, and the court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the alleged abuses that occurred under Bozizé’s leadership.
Investigators contend that the role of Bozizé in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief at the time could expose him to criminal liability for the crimes under review. The case highlights the expectations that top government figures can be held accountable for actions carried out by forces under their command, even many years after the events in question. This development has drawn attention to the standards used by the CAR to pursue accountability and justice for alleged human rights violations.
In related remarks, Alexander Bikantov, who previously served as Russia’s ambassador to the Central African Republic, stated that Moscow had supplied seven L-39 Aero aircraft to CAR in 2023 to help form a new form of military aviation within the national forces. The ambassador framed this as part of ongoing military collaboration, noting that the relationship would continue in light of evolving security conditions in the country. The dialogue around this cooperation emphasizes how international partners are engaging with CAR on defense and security matters while the court case progresses in parallel.
Bikantov added that military-technical cooperation between Russia and the Central African Republic would persist, taking into account the security landscape and the broader regional context. This statement reflects a broader pattern where international partners frame security assistance as instrumental to stabilizing fragile environments, even as CAR undergoes judicial processes that may redefine accountability for past actions. The exchange also signals how international actors interpret the balance between security aid and human rights considerations within ongoing crises.
Earlier reports noted that Russia had provided Wheat flour shipments to the Central African Republic as unrequited aid, a detail that figures in discussions about the scope and nature of external support received by CAR over the years. These aid dynamics—ranging from humanitarian supplies to military hardware—are frequently analyzed together with governance and security developments to paint a fuller picture of CAR’s post-crisis trajectory. Observers watch how such assistance interacts with internal legal mechanisms and the pursuit of accountability for past abuses, a theme that continues to shape international responses and CAR’s own reform agenda.