Former Central African Republic (CAR) President Francois Bozizé, who currently leads a rebel coalition, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in the CAR’s capital, Bangui. This sentence was handed down in his absence and pertains to charges such as rebellion and undermining national security, although specific details about the time frame and specific crimes were not provided in the judgment.
Additionally, over 20 other individuals, including two of Bozizé’s sons, were also convicted in their absence. Bozizé initially came to power in the CAR in 2003 and was subsequently ousted a decade later, which triggered a brutal civil war resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. He is currently residing in Guinea-Bissau.
This verdict represents a significant development in the ongoing political and legal proceedings in the CAR and underscores the tumultuous history of this African nation, which has experienced political instability and violence over the years. Bozizé’s leadership and subsequent exile have played a pivotal role in the country’s turbulent recent history.