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Tag: MINUSCA

  • Ouadda residents’ testimonies reveal alleged MINUSCA’s involvement with UPC

    Ouadda residents’ testimonies reveal alleged MINUSCA’s involvement with UPC

    By Pierre Yakoma

    Numerous testimonies from Ouadda residents reporting cooperation between MINUSCA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic) and members of the UPC (Union for Peace)  armed groups are among the many testimonies reported by residents across the Central African Republic.

    Residents of the village of Ouadda, where peacekeepers are stationed, reported that they have witnessed frequent contacts between MINUSCA staff and leaders of UPC armed groups. The local source stated that a  General in the army  nicknamed Cherche Lamour has direct contact and maintains communication with MINUSCA members all the time.

    General Cherche left the village with members of his group after a meeting with MINUSCA, according to residents, and the militants’ departure came shortly before the arrival of FACA(French:Forces Armees Centrafricaines) forces and Russian allies.

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    Investigations by government forces uncovered the presence of two groups of militants near Ouadda, the first under the command of General Cherche Lamour, numbering up to 15 militants, and the second under the command of Colonel Abdullah, numbering up to 30 militants.

    Also uncovered were a base belonging to the armed groups, as well as trenches housing three RPGs, 5.45 and 7.62 caliber ammunition, AK ammunition, a deactivated satellite phone, cell phones, sets of military uniforms, and several documents including notebooks containing notes in Arabic.

    It remained clear from the militants’ base that the armed groups were freely setting up their base without fear of MINUSCA personnel, whose base is a short distance away. Moreover, such a variety of equipment was made available to the armed group by MINUSCA, whose units are increasingly accused of aiding the militants.

    According to residents, the exchange of intelligence between MINUSCA and the militants contributed to the protection of the militants, who left the village before the arrival of the FACA forces and Russian allies.

    Residents have demanded that the MINUSCA end its presence in their area because they are providing protection and reinforcing armed groups with weapons, which poses a serious threat to their security.

    MINUSCA’s mandate in CAR will end soon, and the peacekeepers are using all sorts of tricks to worsen the security situation in CAR, which will allow them to justify their continued presence in the country.

  • ‘Central African Synergy’ asks MINUSCA to fight, not cooperate with rebels

    ‘Central African Synergy’ asks MINUSCA to fight, not cooperate with rebels

    A social activist and leader of the Central African Synergy organisation, Euloge Doctrouye Koi, has accused the MINUSCA contingents of serious violations.

    At a media briefing, Koi highlighted the brutal crimes committed by military groups in the country since the beginning of 2024.

    Despite these crimes occurring in close proximity to the peacekeepers, they remained inactive, raising suspicions of their complicity with rebels.

    The scandal surrounding the MINUSCA contingents in the southeast of the country intensified with the testimony of Hissen Issa, a former FPRC fighter in custody. 

    Issa revealed the close cooperation between the Moroccan contingent of MINUSCA and the FPRC and UPC. 

    According to Issa, the group exchanged gold for weapons and ammunition with the Moroccan soldiers from MINUSCA. 

    He also mentioned their role in escalating the conflict between Muslims and Christians in the Haut-Mbomou prefecture.

    To support his claims, Koi presented a video of Issa discussing the interaction between the FPRC and the Moroccan contingent of MINUSCA.

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    He also showed a photograph of Issa, then a fighter of the FPRC, sitting alongside Moroccan peacekeepers wearing blue helmets.
    Koi expressed his intention to send letters to UN representatives and international experts, seeking their attention to the crimes associated with the cooperation between MINUSCA and the militants. 

    He urged MINUSCA to genuinely protect civilian populations, aligning with the Defense and Security Forces and their Russian and Rwandan allies, rather than allowing lawless rebels to massacre them.

    The abuses and negative interactions with activists that have come to light cause significant harm to the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in the Central African Republic. 

    MINUSCA was established to support and protect civilians, not to collaborate with militants in contradiction to the principles and values of the United Nations.

  • Ndélé youths protest MINUSCA’s failed promises

    Ndélé youths protest MINUSCA’s failed promises

    Hundreds of youths in Ndélé in the Bamingui-Bangoran Prefecture of Central African Republic (CAR) last Tuesday  angrily protested against the United Nations Multi-Dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for a false promise to the masses.

    The demonstrators denounced the MINUSCA “failure to respect” its commitments in the recruitment of day labourers.

    MINUSCA peacekeeping contingents are deployed in various parts of the Central African Republic to protect civilians.

    However, disgruntled voices are being raised from all corners of the country to condemn the peacekeepers, not only for failing to fulfill their mandate but also for causing damage to the population by allegedly aiding rebels, smuggling diamonds and committing other criminal acts.

    Attempts  to occupy the airstrip at the town’s airfield  were prevented by the law enforcement agencies.

    They nevertheless handed over a memorandum to the head of the local MINUSCA office.

    Locals said it was not the first time the MINUSCA made false promises and  commitments to the local communities.

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    Most local residents have an alarming negative attitude towards MINUSCA peacekeepers.

    They pointed the alleged the criminal actions of the peacekeepers, arbitrary treatment of residents, negligent attitude to their duties and possible cooperation with rebels are driving them to chase MINUSCA contingents out of populated areas.

    “This is a wake-up call to which the leadership of the UN mission must respond.

    “MINUSCA does not value the lives of the local population and is regularly involved in incidents resulting in civilian deaths. Central Africans are already impatient with the operation of the MINUSCA which is not improving the security situation in the country.

    “To deal with MINUSCA, the government should intervene to give the young people of Ndélé the right. It’s better for everyone if some of MINUSCA’s jobs go to local people, because they are  the only ones who can protect their country and their families,” one of the protesting youths told newsmen.