Amnesty International warns of special court closure
The Central African Republic's special court risks closure by 2028 due to a lack of funding.
Amnesty International has alerted that the Special Criminal Court (CPS) in the Central African Republic faces closure by 2028 due to insufficient funding. The organization stated that only the UN and EU are currently providing financial support to the court, which is tasked with prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity. This lack of funds has forced the court to halt investigations, leaving alleged perpetrators of international crimes potentially free.
The CPS relies exclusively on voluntary contributions from states and international organizations. In 2025, the United States withdrew its financial support, leaving over $4.15 million in unpaid commitments. This funding crisis led the court to dismiss a quarter of its staff, including foreign experts, between August and September 2025, impacting its witness protection unit.
Amnesty International is calling on Central African authorities, the UN, the EU, and partner states to provide or continue financial support for the CPS's operational budget. The court's national counterparts reportedly lack the resources and independence to handle these complex cases.
Why it mattersThe Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic risks closure, potentially allowing perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity to escape justice.