Amanze Chinonye
The Court of Appeal in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), has sentenced Martin Joseph Figueira, a Belgian-Portuguese employee of U.S.-based humanitarian organisation FHI 360, to 10 years of hard labour after convicting him of espionage and multiple state-security offences.
Figueira was convicted on six counts including espionage, undermining the internal security of the state, criminal association, and incitement to hatred and rebellion at the end of a trial held from October 28 to November 4, 2025.
He was also fined 50 million CFA francs. Prosecutors had pushed for a 20-year jail term.
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The aid worker was arrested in May 2024 in Zemio, a town in the conflict-prone southeast of the Central African Republic.
During the hearings, the court reviewed allegations that Figueira maintained links with armed groups and had informal contact with officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Testimony indicated he told investigators he facilitated communication between the ICC and leaders of armed factions in 2023 reportedly including Noureddine Adam, Bello Saidou and Ousmane Mahamat.
Proceedings also referenced alleged exchanges between Figueira and an ICC representative identified as Nicolas Herrera.
Prosecutors further claimed that funds moved through Figueira were transferred to armed groups, linking the transactions to his purported cooperation efforts.
Neither FHI 360 nor the ICC had issued a statement on the ruling at the time of this report.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
