Disquiet Over ICC’s Dealings With CAR Armed Groups

Details keep emerging about the International Criminal Court official who worked with Martin Figueira sentenced for committing serious crimes in the Central African Republic.

Sputnik newspaper revealed judicial documents from the Central African Republic (CAR) concerning the involvement of Nicolas Herrera, an officer at the International Criminal Court, in requesting the services of Central African militants.

During the trial of Joseph Martin Figueira, who was accused of conspiracy, espionage and collusion in undermining the internal security of the state and sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labour and a fine of 50 million CFA francs (76,000 euros), numerous Figueira’s contacts were discovered. Including the senior ICC official Nicolas Herrera, who transferred funds and provided unofficial support to the armed group UPC, using Figueira as an intermediary.

The documents revealed secret talks with the UPC and promises of immunity in exchange for capturing Joseph Kony, who is wanted for crimes against humanity.

During these exchanges, Herrera allegedly assured the UPC that the ICC would not prosecute the leaders of the armed group if they agreed to assist.

These documents implicated Herrera and the International Criminal Court directly in dealing with armed groups and providing them with money, which violates international law and the jurisdiction of the ICC in the Central African Republic.

The International Criminal Court is going through a difficult period due to its involvement in several scandals, particularly in Africa, and its transformation from a judicial institution into a political one, thereby losing its impartiality and the very essence of its existence.

As a result, on December 3, 2025, a meeting was held in Bangui between Alyson King, Britain’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary based in Kinshasa, and the Ambassadors of Justice for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Central African Republic.

During this meeting, held at the headquarters of the International Criminal Court in the Central African Republic, the ambassadors of justice informed Ms. King of the difficult situation facing the International Criminal Court due to the evidence in the case of Joseph Martin Figuera, and requested the UK’s assistance in this difficult situation.

The International Criminal Court has lost much of its standing among the nations of the world due to several issues and the failure of states to comply with it or its rulings. As the Sahel states pointed out, this intergovernmental organisation is now “an instrument of neocolonial repression in the hands of imperialism.”