** Ten years of the special criminal court in the Central African Republic: assessment and perspectives **
On June 3, 2025 marked the tenth anniversary of the Special Criminal Court (CPS) in the Central African Republic, an institution which was to symbolize the hope of real justice and an end to impunity. Created following the recommendations of the Bangui Forum in 2015, the CPS is responsible for judging war crimes and crimes against humanity committed since 2003 in the Central African territory. After a decade of existence, the balance sheet turns out to be both encouraging and worrying.
** CPS achievements: progress or insufficiency? **
The CPS management team, led by Landry Michel Louanga, highlights significant advances, including the organization of three trials, the first of which led to a final decision. The institution also began compensation for victims, an act which is of symbolic and pragmatic importance in a country where collective suffering is palpable. In this sense, the CPS seems to meet some of the initial expectations, embodying a hope of justice for the victims of past atrocities.
However, many Central Africans, such as Étienne Umba, founder of the Association of United Victims of Central African Republic (AVUC), raise concerns about the real efficiency of the CPS. According to Umba, the jurisdiction seems more concentrated on “small soldiers”, while figures in the bow, often perceived as responsible for large -scale violence, remain in freedom. This perception of two-speed justice can arouse legitimate frustration, calling into question the credibility of the CPS and resulting in skepticism towards its real capacities to do justice.
** Organizational and financial challenges **
The functioning of the CPS is also hampered by complex financial issues. The withdrawal of the United States, which provided substantial financial support, exacerbated the difficulties of the institution to maintain its activity. While justice should be a fundamental pillar of the state, the lack of funds can harm its effectiveness and its ability to conduct in -depth investigations. This also raises questions about the sustainability of the reforms established so far and how they can be supported in the long term.
** The question of judicial independence **
The criticisms formulated by certain actors, who perceive a possible influence of the Central African authorities on the activities of the CPS, open up an essential debate on judicial independence. Although President Louanga refutes these allegations and ensures that no pressure has been exerted on the judges, it is crucial to examine these concerns with nuance. Public confidence towards judicial institutions is inseparable from their ability to operate without hindrance. Consequently, it is imperative to create transparency and liable mechanisms to guarantee independent conduct, supported by national and international actors.
** Towards better justice: improvement tracks **
On the occasion of this anniversary, it would be relevant to envisage several tracks which could strengthen the CPS and increase its legitimacy in the eyes of the Central Africans:
1. ** Capacity building **: Technical and financial support must be revisited, by diversifying funding sources and seeking to establish sustainable partnerships with other international states or organizations.
2. ** Expanding the field of action **: The CPS could consider expanding its surveys to include high -level political and military actors, in order to tackle the root of the problem of impunity.
3. ** Awareness and community commitment **: Implicating communities and victims in the judicial process could strengthen the feeling of property and legitimacy around the actions of the CPS.
4. ** Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms **: The creation of robust mechanisms to assess the efficiency and impact of legal decisions could help restore public confidence.
In conclusion, the CPS represents a significant advance in the quest for justice in the Central African Republic, but it faces many challenges that require special attention. While the country continues to heal its injuries, it seems essential to question and improve the mechanisms of justice so that the promise of a better future for everyone does not remain a utopia, but becomes a tangible reality.