It doesn't seem to be that the ICC has anything against prosecuting non-Africans, only that the USA seems to sanction them heavily when they do.

I don't think that's what happened?

There is a discussion to be had about why the ICC is better at getting justice in some regions over others, but that also shouldn't mean that we just give up altogether. Victims in the global south deserve justice too. That includes those in the Central African Republic, many of which are from the same race and ethnic background as him.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/09/23/central-african-republic-icc-verdict-in-seleka-commander-case

(The Hague) – The International Criminal Court (ICC)’s conviction of Mahamat Said Abdel Kani for crimes against humanity in the Central African Republic offers an important measure of long-awaited justice for victims of the abusive Seleka armed group, Human Rights Watch said today.

In 2012, the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels ousted the Central African Republic president, François Bozizé, and seized power through a campaign of violence and terror. In March 2013, the Seleka took control of Bangui, the capital, attacking civilians and pillaging the city. In late 2013, Christian and animist militias known as anti-balaka, began to organize counterattacks against the Seleka. Both the Seleka and anti-balaka have been implicated in widespread atrocities against civilians.

https://www.dw.com/en/icc-convicts-car-ex-rebel-leader-of-crimes-against-humanity/a-79387178

Prosecutors allege that prisoners at the facility, who were suspected supporters of Bozize, were subjected to various forms of torture, including whippings and body mutilation.

According to the court, inmates were also denied food or water, with some drinking their own urine out of desperation.

One cell, dubbed "the hole," where prisoners were held in dire conditions, was said by the court to be directly under Said's office.

Meanwhile the americans are trying to dismantle the court

Said’s verdict comes at a time when the ICC is facing extreme pressure. In February 2025, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order authorizing sanctions on ICC officials and others supporting the court’s work. Since then, the US government has imposed sanctions on ICC officials and staff, a UN expert, and three leading Palestinian human rights organizations. Together with three other human rights groups, Human Rights Watch has sued the Trump administration in a US court over its sanctions targeting the ICC.