Former Secretary of State Maxime Mokom has been locked up in LaHaye since Monday. Mokom is suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the 2013 and 2014 civil wars. In Bangui, victims’ associations and authorities welcome the transfer to the ICC of Maxime Mokom.
as reported from Bangui, Carol Valade
“This is moving in the direction of the fight against impunity,” said Presidential spokesman Albert Yaloke Mokpeme. He adds that Mokom “did not follow the instructions” when he crossed the Central African border. He was arrested at the border between Chad and the Central African Republic, the Chadian authorities submitted it to the ICC on Monday 14 MarchFollowing the failure of the coup launched by the rebel coalition CPC in January 2021, the former minister had found refuge with other leaders of armed groups in Ndjamena, awaiting progress in peace talks led by Angola.
The news, on the other hand, arouses a shudder among the other leaders of the armed groups, who are still in exile in Chad, at the request of Angola and in anticipation of progress in the peace negotiations under the auspices of the ICGLR.
“It is an obstacle to the peace process, we can not engage in dialogue under these conditions,” a spokesman for the rebel coalition said. “Neither Luanda’s roadmap nor the peace agreement can hinder justice,” said Minister Mokpeme.
Bangui has always had a vague view of this exile that is considered too close to its borders. Ndjamena took the opportunity to get rid of a troublesome guest who had bad relations with the Chadian intelligence service.
“But is it not likely that the other rebel leaders will be scared? What will be the consequences in the Central African Republic?” asks a diplomat.
The reconciliation dialogue with the unarmed opposition and civil society will be held from 21 to 27 March, according to the presidential decree published on Tuesday evening, 15 March.
