CAR: Sangou-Zirani Denounces Alleged Complicity Of MINUSCA In UPC Rebels’ Atrocities

The complicity between the Moroccan contingent of MINUSCA peacekeepers and the rebels of the UPC in Haut-Mbomou, Central Africa Republic (CAR), has been denounced by the outgoing Economic Adviser, Parfait Romaric Achille Sangou-Zirani.

Concerns have been raised by the residents of Haut-Mbomou regarding the lack of security provided by the Moroccan contingent.

During a press conference held on April 15, 2024 in Bangui, Sangou-Zirani called for a government investigation into the behaviour of the Moroccan contingent, citing their alleged involvement with the rebels amidst the security, social, and economic crisis in the prefecture.

He said: “Chronologically, several events took place in the space of just three months. Between February 19 and 24, 2024, there was an attack on the village of Maboussou (PK 80 of Zemio) by the elements of the UPC followed by fires of more than 87 residential houses and the total destruction of the health post of the said locality. This attack caused the death of 11 people, including women and a 6-year-old child. On the same day, the Manza village also suffered attacks by these UPC armed men who massacred five people and burned down ten (10) houses. On March 28, 2024, a kidnapping of 5 children whose age varies between 11 and 16 years old took place in Koumounoungo village; these children are still nowhere to be found until today. These terrorist acts that the UPC commit on the civilian population have become commonplace in the Haut-Mbomou prefecture. On April 1, 2024, in the village of Koumounoungo, there was a killing and massacre of three young people on the Mboki axis. On April 3, 2024, a 26-year-old young man was shot in the leg by a UPC element near the MINUSCA military base without their reaction. This young man remains hospitalized to this day.

“On April 13, 2024, three unarmed civilians were slaughtered by a group of three elements of the UPC led by the formidable terrorist named Boule at pk 18 of Zémio route de Rafaï and tortured a humanitarian from the JUPEDEC NGO,” said Parfait Romaric Achille Sangou-Zirani.

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Sangou-Zirani pointed out that despite the presence of Moroccan and Portuguese contingents from the UN mission, the security situation in several localities in Haut-Mbomou has been deteriorating for over three months. He condemned the inaction of the Moroccan and Portuguese contingents in the face of crimes committed by the UPC rebels.

The Economic Adviser highlighted that these crimes were carried out in the presence of Moroccan peacekeepers, despite repeated requests from local authorities for their assistance in investigating the incidents and aiding the victims.

In light of these events, the population of Haut-Mbomou, represented by Sangou-Zirani, urged the government to initiate an independent investigation into the questionable conduct of the Moroccan contingent.