Catholic priest killed in Zemio, UN peacekeepers attacked on border with Sudan

A Roman Catholic priest known for his work on peace and reconciliation efforts was killed near his residence in Zemio, in the Haut-Mbomou Prefecture in the southeast of the Central African Republic (CAR), on 29 June.

Father Crepin Martial Monga, a priest of the Catholic Parish of Bangassou, was killed by gunmen on the evening of 29 June, though full details of the incident remain unclear. Father Monga had led a local committee for peace and reconciliation in Zemio that had been engaged in the recent conflicts in the town.

Zemio experienced persistent tensions and clashes throughout 2025, with targeted attacks by the Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (AAKG) or Azande Miliita, on members of the Fulani community causing displacement and the deaths of civilians and UN Peacekeepers.

The Catholic Church in the town notably provided refuge and humanitarian assistance for civilians after an Azande militia attack in December 2025 led to the displacement of over 2,000 people, including some to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘We extend our deepest condolences to the family and parish of Father Crepin Martial Monga and the Catholic community in the Central African Republic. We call on the authorities to ensure that his death is investigated and those responsible are brought to justice. We also urge the authorities to ensure that adequate resources are sent to the region during this time of mourning and support is given to Father Monga’s work to bring peace and reconciliation to the communities in Zemio.’

In a separate development, three Zambian Peacekeepers deployed as part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in CAR (MINUSCA) were injured in an attack on their base in Am Dafock, Vakaga Prefecture on 29 June. Am Dafock borders South Darfur in Sudan. The attack was perpetrated by members of the former Seleka alliance, the Popular Front for the Rebirth of CAR(FPRC) led by Noureddine Adam who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his role in the commission of atrocity crimes in CAR, and the Democratic Movement for the Rallying of the Central African People (MDRPC). These armed groups were reportedly joined by armed elements from across the border in Sudan, which is currently under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The attack was condemned by MINUSCA, which noted that attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes, and urged the actors to cease all hostilities.

The government of CAR had indicated that the situation in Am Dafock was under control, but national press have reported that these armed elements are still active in Am Dafock. The groups have not established an operational base in the town, which would indicate an intention to take physical control of the town and perhaps launch attacks on neighbouring towns, however their presence in Am Dafock has led to at least 28 civilian deaths and has triggered an acute humanitarian crisis with civilians seeking refuge at the MINUSCA base.

Mervyn Thomas added: ‘We call on the government of CAR to ensure the protection of all civilians in Am Dafock by deploying the necessary resources in coordination with the UN peacekeeping mission. Cross-border incursions into the CAR of armed elements from Sudan, most likely the RSF and its allied militias, highlight their risk to regional peace and security. We call on the international community to ensure that justice is served to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, especially when those actions have the most detrimental effect on vulnerable civilians.’