Earning its Keep: Assessing the Legitimacy of the Special Criminal Court for the Central African Republic.

This article examines the legitimacy of the Special Criminal Court (SCC) in the Central African Republic (CAR), assessing it on normative and sociological levels within a volatile political and economic context. Normatively, the SCC's establishment through inclusive national consultations and its procedural fairness have contributed to its legitimacy, despite challenges such as political interference, limited resources, and jurisdictional tensions with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Sociologically, surveys and local accounts indicate that the SCC has gained public trust and support, particularly due to its outreach efforts, victim reparations, and perceived impartiality in prosecuting various armed groups. While legitimacy remains a dynamic and contested concept influenced by ongoing political instability, the SCC's continued operation and growing local acceptance suggest it holds a meaningful role in advancing justice in CAR.