Central African Republic court resumes criminal trials

The Central African Republic's main court resumed criminal trials on August 3, 2026, after a two-year halt that kept suspects in prolonged custody and worsened prison overcrowding, the court said.

The suspension, blamed on financial difficulties, created a backlog of cases awaiting trial at the court in Bangui, the capital.

Justice Minister Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene said last week that restarting hearings was also intended to reduce overcrowding in Bangui's prisons. Jean Vidal Damas, the court's attorney general, said the suspension was mainly due to the country's economic situation.

The current session is scheduled to run from August 3 to 31. The court will hear around 30 cases, including allegations of homicide, rape, embezzlement of public funds and attempts to undermine state security.