International Criminal Court Sentences Football Official to 12 Years in Prison
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has jailed African football executive Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona for 12 years
- The football chief was found guilty of war crimes in Central African Republic (CAR) levelled against him
- Netizens from other African countries have shared their thoughts on ICC ruling over Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona's war crimes
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, the former head of football in the Central African Republic (CAR), to 12 years in prison for war crimes committed during the country’s 2013–2014 civil war.
Ngaissona was sentenced by the judges on 28 counts, which include persecution, torture, and killing, after he reportedly arranged and directed Anti-Balaka militias that carried out attacks against Muslim civilians following the takeover of Bangui by Seleka rebels.
The ICC found him culpable beyond a reasonable doubt, based on nearly 20,000 pieces of evidence levelled against him and testimony from 174 witnesses.
Source: Getty Images
ICC judges confirm Ngaïssona's offence
The judges affirmed that Ngaïssona funded and staged attacks on Muslim communities in Bangui and the western Central African Republic.
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According to the ICC, the offences he committed comprised violent displacement, abusive treatment, and religious persecution.
In the same ruling, the ICC convicted co-defendant Alfred Yekatom to 15 years for 20 war offences and crimes against humanity.
Another African football leader who is currently under investigation for an offence is SAFA's president Danny Jordaan. The SA football executive is under allegations that he received R10 million payment from the association in 2020.
SAFA were also under scrutiny by fans months ago over the financial woes of the Bafana Bafana coaching saga.
Netizens react as ICC sentence Ngaissona to jail
Zimbo_Factual said:
"Both Ngaïssona & Netanyahu are charged with murder, persecution, other inhumane acts including attacks on civilians—same ICC crimes, same legal weight. One is in jail while the other is protected by western countries because as they say, the ICC is not for arresting westerners."
CrebilFils wrote:
"ICC going after blacks hahaha. What a surprise! This guy might be awful but I dont think he murdered 20 thousand children, as the Air Force commander of Israel. The full of rubbish robes of ICC, vile racist cowards. should really go home."
nlembeleki reacted:
"They should start by arresting Netanyahu, Tony Blair, George Bush first. The African Leaders should stop ratifying these International Conventions that is used sparingly on Africans yet the West commits crimes and never arrested."
ugalimafioso commented:
"One day, Kenyan politicians will serve time for their crimes against humanity. Then, order and the rule of law will prevail. For now, Kenya remains a banana republic."
IAMCharleson shared:
"Childish Charade, while the real war criminals roam free. Disgusting how you always easily tried and jailed Africans not Americans, Europeans, or Middle East or Asian war criminals. African nations must rise and completely reject this biased useless court setup to kill Africans."
Francisco B. González Centeno responded:
"#Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard #Ngaïssona guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the #CentralAfricanRepublic."
rezayee_nazir added:
"ICC is convicting mostly African leaders. Law and Justice must be implemented over all of criminals without taking account of race and color. Two other African leader were convicted to prison for charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity."
Source: Getty Images
Lesotho FA confirms complaint over Mokoena saga
Briefly News also reported that Lesotho FA confirmed they have lodged an official complaint over Bafana Bafana selecting suspended midfielder Tebogo Mokoena.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder played against Lesotho during Bafana’s 2-0 victory on Friday, 21 March 2025, in Polokwane despite being suspended for the tie.
Source: Briefly News
