NETHERLANDS/AFRICA (AP) – An alleged coordinator of a predominantly Christian rebel group in the Central African Republic appeared at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the first time since he was arrested in Chad and turned over to the court to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Maxime Jeoffroy Eli Mokom Gawaka, a former government minister, is accused by prosecutors at the global court of coordinating operations of the anti-Balaka, which fought against the Seleka rebel group that left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands in 2013 and 2014 in Central African Republic.
He is the fourth suspect from the long-running conflict in the mineral-rich but impoverished nation to appear before judges at the global court.
