Get ready for tomorrow! 1st trial of 2 #antibalaka leaders, #Yékatom & #Ngaïssona begins at #ICC-Feb 16. It's “a milestone for justice for victims of brutal crimes committed in the Central African Republic’s most recent conflict.” This + more from @hrw: https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/07/central-african-republic-first-anti-balaka-trial-icc https://twitter.com/IntlCrimCourt/status/1360888770128711680

Wondering what this trial is all about and who these suspects are? Check out @hrw’s Question-and-Answer about the trial: https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/07/qa-central-african-republic-first-icc-anti-balaka-trial

#Ngaïssona and #Yékatom are the highest ranking anti-balaka leaders to face trial, and the 1st at the ICC for crimes committed since 2012 in Central African Republic. @hrw has documented crimes committed by both #antibalaka & #Seleka rebels in #CARCrisis: https://www.hrw.org/report/2017/07/05/killing-without-consequence/war-crimes-crimes-against-humanity-and-special

You can see @hrw’s video interview with #Ngaïssona on September 3, 2014, where he did not deny his role as an anti-balaka leader: https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/07/28/central-african-republic-icc-sets-trial

The trial comes amidst recent attacks by a new rebel coalition in #CARcrisis. “The concerning developments only reinforce the importance of breaking the country’s climate of impunity with credible trials to hold violators to account.” This, more from @hrw: https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/23/central-african-republic-rebel-violence-threatens-elections

Important to see that #antibalaka trial comes on the heels of the Central African Republic’s transfer of first #Seleka-rebel suspect to the ICC, Mahamat Said Abdel #Kani, on Jan 24; the @IntlCrimCourt is now addressing crimes by both leading sides: https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/01/25/central-african-republic-first-seleka-suspect-icc-custody

My colleague @EstiTambay will be updating on developments tomorrow when trial begins. Check her out and follow her to learn more!