CSW is calling on the government of the Central African Republic (CAR) to ensure that all allegations against military and foreign forces are fully investigated, and that those working for peaceful coexistence in the country are protected, especially the religious leaders involved in national reconciliation efforts and the Interfaith Peace Platform.
On 23 June, the UN Special Representative and Head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSCA), Mankeur Ndiaye, warned that reports of abuses by government and supporting forces in the counter offensive against armed groups in the CAR could aggravate underlying communal tensions.
In the UN Security Council briefing on MINUSCA’s mission, Mr Ndiaye reported that a government counter-offensive against the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), an alliance of armed groups which had attacked the government ahead of the December 2020 presidential election, had led to “an unprecedented humanitarian crisis”, with more people displaced internally and over 57% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance.
In March 2021, a group of UN experts including the Working Group on Mercenaries raised concerns about private military and foreign security contractors working in coordination with the government of CAR and maintaining close contact with UN peacekeepers. UN experts cited reports from the ground that Russian contractors connected to the Wagner group, a paramilitary group which includes forces that have seen action in Syria and the Ukraine, have been implicated in gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including the use of torture, summary executions and attacks on humanitarian workers.
CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: “The reported violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by government forces and allied foreign contractors are deeply concerning. These alleged crimes must be investigated, with identified perpetrators held to account, in order to ensure that confidence in those tasked with bringing peace to the CAR can be maintained.”
There are also concerns about the safety of individuals involved in civilian peace initiatives. On 4 June, the convoy of Apostle Nicolas Gurekoyame Gbangou, head of the Evangelical Union in CAR and a founding member of the Interfaith Peace Platform, was attacked by unknown gunmen.
The convoy of approximately 300 Christians from the ELIM denomination was stopped near the village of Nzélété in Basse-Kotto, 22 kilometres from Alindao, by armed men who ordered the passengers out of the vehicles and confiscated all their valuables, including mobile phones and money. They then set the vehicles alight, leaving the group stranded.
At a press conference on 9 June Apostle Gurekoyame Gbangou explained that the group, which included elderly and traumatised individuals, had to travel for one and a half hours to seek help. He called on the government to work towards freedom of movement of people and goods across all parts of the country. When asked why the men targeted a religious group, Apostle Gurekoyame Gbangou explained that one of the armed men had said “the Church shouldn't play politics” and “instructed us to tell President Touadera that they still have the strength and can still harm.”
Mr Thomas added: “CSW echoes the call of Apostle Gurekoyame Gbangou for the government of CAR to work towards a situation in which civilians and goods can move freely throughout the country, which is a crucial benchmark for its agenda to restore peace and stability. Civilian-led initiatives for peaceful coexistence between the CAR’s diverse communities must be encouraged. The individuals involved in this important work, including religious groups and their leaders and especially those on the interfaith peace platform, must also be protected in order to ensure that attacks such as this do not trigger retributive actions.”