Context

In the ongoing civil war in the Central African Republic, all factions have reports of using sex slavery as a weapon going back as far as 2003.

Zeinaba Issa’s Story

Zeiniba Issa (not her real name), was 12 years old when anti-balaka* troops kidnapped her from her hometown of Boda. Her captors raped her repeatedly and threatened her with death any time she resisted. Zeinaba finally managed to escape after a week of unimaginable torment. She did not tell them of the rapes.

Perpetrators & Legal Outcomes

Anti-balaka troops perpetrated the crime. They alleged that Zeinaba was a Muslim supporter and therefore needed to pay for the deaths of their (anti-balaka) brothers by her brothers. 

The laws of the Cental African Republic criminalise rape and sexual assault. Despite this, no-one from any of the militias who perpetrated these acts has been prosecuted criminally. It has taken setting up a Special Criminal Court  to prosecute sex slavery under war crimes and crimes against humanity for the beginnings of justice to be served. The first judgement handed down related to the 2019 war crimes, crimes before this are still to be addressed.

Laws & Protections

Even though legislation in the CAR made rape and sexual assault crimes many years ago, prosecution of those responsible for these acts is rare. Women prefer not to speak out as husbands sometimes reject their wives after rape.

The Larger Context

The civil war has left CAR struggling with a traumatised population. More than 25% of the population are displaced.