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Violence in Kaga-Bandoro: MINUSCA calls on the Government to conduct timely and thorough investigations into the abuses committed
Bangui, 31 October 2016 – MINUSCA calls on the Central African Government to prioritize the fight against impunity for serious past and present violations and abuses of human rights and humanitarian law committed in Kaga-Bandoro, and to ensure the timely completion of investigations and prosecutions. The recommendations are contained in the MINUSCA report on the attacks that occurred in Kaga-Bandoro from 12 to 17 October 2016.
“The ex- Séléka MPC and FPRC factions were responsible for most of the killings, injuries, pillaging and torching of huts and houses in Evêché Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Travaux Publics neighbourhood, as well as in Mambéa and Manguépa areas. The Human Rights Division (HRD) also documented abuses of the rights to life, physical and mental integrity, and liberty perpetrated by the Anti-Balaka”, as reported in the MINUSCA incident report. The document identifies the main perpetrators of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law during the incident as the ex- Séléka, particularly the Front Populaire pour la Renaissance Centrafricaine (FPRC) and the Mouvement Patriotique pour la Centrafrique (MPC) respectively under the Command of Al Khatim and Saleh Zabadi, the Anti-Balaka under the command of Bertrand Gazamodo and Ledger Ngaya and armed civilians from the Muslim and Christian communities.
The report confirms the killing of 37 civilians including four women, two boys, a girl and a baby of unknown sex; injury to 60 others; the pillaging and torching of at least 400 IDP huts in the Evêché IDP camp, 130 houses in Kaga-Bandoro town and 21 houses on the axis Kaga-Bandoro- Botto according to satellite images taken before and after the attacks. Furthermore, MINUSCA confirmed the displacement of more than 10,000 civilians. These abuses have been attributed mostly to the ex- Séléka, the Anti-Balaka and armed civilians from both the Muslim and Christian communities. HRD also received allegations of three cases of rape committed by ex- Séléka elements
During the attacks, civilians fled from Evêché IDP camp, Manguepa and Mambea areas and the Travaux Public neighbourhood, towards the MINUSCA base in search of protection. MINUSCA calls on the international community to support the return of humanitarian actors to the affected areas in order to provide a humanitarian response to the displaced population and to address together the issue of armed groups living in IDP camps.
The report points out that, following the incidents, MINUSCA protected civilians and provided humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons who had sought refuge near to its base. The Mission also engaged in talks with important local stakeholders, including local authorities, armed groups and civil society organizations in order to resolve the crisis.
The brief report on Kaga-Bandoro is based on the findings of a MINUSCA investigation mission that was conducted in the town of Kaga-Bandoro from 12 to 17 October. The investigation team interviewed eye witnesses, victims, local authorities, and also met with leaders of armed groups, members of civil society, community and religious leaders. The team also met with humanitarian actors, medical personnel, teachers, leaders of IDP camps and representatives of Muslim youth.
“The ex- Séléka MPC and FPRC factions were responsible for most of the killings, injuries, pillaging and torching of huts and houses in Evêché Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Travaux Publics neighbourhood, as well as in Mambéa and Manguépa areas. The Human Rights Division (HRD) also documented abuses of the rights to life, physical and mental integrity, and liberty perpetrated by the Anti-Balaka”, as reported in the MINUSCA incident report. The document identifies the main perpetrators of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law during the incident as the ex- Séléka, particularly the Front Populaire pour la Renaissance Centrafricaine (FPRC) and the Mouvement Patriotique pour la Centrafrique (MPC) respectively under the Command of Al Khatim and Saleh Zabadi, the Anti-Balaka under the command of Bertrand Gazamodo and Ledger Ngaya and armed civilians from the Muslim and Christian communities.
The report confirms the killing of 37 civilians including four women, two boys, a girl and a baby of unknown sex; injury to 60 others; the pillaging and torching of at least 400 IDP huts in the Evêché IDP camp, 130 houses in Kaga-Bandoro town and 21 houses on the axis Kaga-Bandoro- Botto according to satellite images taken before and after the attacks. Furthermore, MINUSCA confirmed the displacement of more than 10,000 civilians. These abuses have been attributed mostly to the ex- Séléka, the Anti-Balaka and armed civilians from both the Muslim and Christian communities. HRD also received allegations of three cases of rape committed by ex- Séléka elements
During the attacks, civilians fled from Evêché IDP camp, Manguepa and Mambea areas and the Travaux Public neighbourhood, towards the MINUSCA base in search of protection. MINUSCA calls on the international community to support the return of humanitarian actors to the affected areas in order to provide a humanitarian response to the displaced population and to address together the issue of armed groups living in IDP camps.
The report points out that, following the incidents, MINUSCA protected civilians and provided humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons who had sought refuge near to its base. The Mission also engaged in talks with important local stakeholders, including local authorities, armed groups and civil society organizations in order to resolve the crisis.
The brief report on Kaga-Bandoro is based on the findings of a MINUSCA investigation mission that was conducted in the town of Kaga-Bandoro from 12 to 17 October. The investigation team interviewed eye witnesses, victims, local authorities, and also met with leaders of armed groups, members of civil society, community and religious leaders. The team also met with humanitarian actors, medical personnel, teachers, leaders of IDP camps and representatives of Muslim youth.
