The International Criminal Court has opened a formal investigation into an "endless list" of atrocities committed in the Central African Republic, prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said on Wednesday. "My office has gathered and scrupulously analysed relevant information from multiple reliable sources," Bensouda said in a statement.
The move comes after a preliminary ICC investigation earlier this year into the violence that has plagued the country for over 18 months established that there were grounds to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity. "My office has gathered and scrupulously analysed relevant information from multiple reliable sources," Bensouda said in a statement. "Based on this independent and comprehensive analysis, I have concluded that an investigation is warranted."
The country plunged into conflict after a coup in March 2013 by a mainly Muslim rebel alliance, the Seleka, which overthrew president Francois Bozize and made their own man, Michel Djotodia, head of state. Influential foreign leaders in January forced Djotodia to step down after he proved incapable of preventing widespread atrocities by rogue Seleka fighters.
Communities from Central Africa's mainly Christian majority responded by setting up vigilante forces known as "anti-balaka" (anti-machete) to seek vengeance, mostly targeting Muslim civilians whom they accused of backing Seleka. Bensouda said there was "a reasonable basis to believe that both the Seleka and the anti-balaka groups have committed crimes against humanity and war crimes." The include murder, rape, forced displacement, persecution and using child soldiers, she said.
"The list of atrocities is endless," Bensouda said. "I cannot ignore these alleged crimes. "My office will now work to directly collect criminal evidence with a view to identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the most serious crimes." Daily looting, killing and raping raised global fears of a new Somalia-style "failed state" in the heart of Africa and sparked the launch in December 2013 of a military operation by former colonial power France.