Dr. Annyssa Bellal Testifies as Expert Witness Before the ICC in the Trial of Mahamat Said Abdel Kani

The Geneva Peacebuilding Platform’s Executive Director, Dr. Annyssa Bellal, was invited to testify as an expert witness before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the ongoing trial of Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, a national of the Central African Republic and a former commander of the Seleka armed group.

Mr. Said is facing multiple charges before the ICC, including crimes against humanity—such as imprisonment, torture, persecution, enforced disappearance, and other inhumane acts—as well as war crimes including torture and cruel treatment in Bangui in 2013.. His arrest warrant was issued under seal on 7 January 2019. More information about the case can be found on the ICC website here.

Dr. Bellal was called by the defense to provide expert testimony on the legal classification of the 2013 conflict in the Central African Republic and the status of the parties involved under international law and international humanitarian law. Her testimony drew on her extensive academic and policy expertise and experience in the field of IHL and International Law. 

In particular, the court focused on her article entitled ‘Central African Republic: From Conflict to Chaos and Back Again?’, published in the War Report: Armed Conflict in 2013, by Oxford University Press, where she analysed in depth the legal framework applicable to the situation in the CAR in 2013. 

Dr. Bellal’s contribution underscores the importance of rigorous legal analysis in supporting accountability processes and informing judicial assessments of complex conflict situations.