The United Nations Mission, both regionally and in the Central African Republic, has the mandate to guarantee and ensure the protection of the civilian population against threats from non-conventional armed groups. However, across Africa and particularly in the CAR, it has always been accused of supporting and often colluding with rebels, and of committing abuses and heinous crimes against the civilian and vulnerable population. This publication accusing Minusca of supplying weapons to the CPC rebel fighters calls into question its presence and effectiveness at the national and local levels.
For several years (2014-2024), MINUSCA in the Central African Republic has been accused of multiple abuses contrary to peace, through publications circulated on social media platforms and online news sites.
Recently, accusations have emerged from several localities within the Central African Republic against some contingents of the UN mission, alleging that they are supporting foreign mercenaries with arms and ammunition. Such is the case with this new revelation concerning the city of Bouar, the capital of the Nana-Mambéré prefecture, in the northwest, located 440.2 km from Bangui, accusing Minusca of supplying weapons to the CPC rebel groups. According to this accusation, on January 4, 2024, a Minusca aircraft type “MI-17,” with call sign “313P” and registration number “S3-APV,” allegedly illegally transported heavy machine guns (reportedly of French manufacture) here.
Since June 25, 2024, a publication on the social network Facebook, notably the 236 Actu page, and on the Radio Lengo Songo website on August 8, 2024, in a recent article titled: “MINUSCA continues to supply rebels in the Central African Republic,” along with the Facebook page Nouvelles du Pays-RCA, and the Sango Ti Kodro page, assert that the UN Mission is accused of supplying weapons to the CPC rebel fighters.
The publication contains several elements of accusation, stating: “CAR: THE UN MISSION IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC IS ACCUSED OF SUPPLYING WEAPONS TO THE CPC REBEL FIGHTERS. Once again, Minusca is accused of supplying weapons and war ammunition to the CPC rebels in the Central African Republic. For several years now, in the CAR, the UN mission has been accused of multiple abuses contrary to peace in the country. Recently, accusations have been flying from certain provincial towns against some contingents of this UN mission, alleging that they are supporting foreign mercenaries with arms and war ammunition. Such was the case with this new revelation made about the same subject in the town of Bouar, the capital of Nana-Mambéré prefecture…”
However, the information is completely false according to Minusca, as well as the political and local authorities contacted by Centrafrique Check.
Reactions from Minusca:
The flight was in compliance with established procedures and fully transparent with national police and military authorities.
Contacted via WhatsApp on Thursday, August 15, 2024, Joël Ndoli Pierre, acting spokesperson for Minusca, stated: “This flight conducted by Minusca from Bangui to Bouar was a military flight intended for the delivery of equipment belonging to the Senegalese contingent, recently on a mission in Haut-Mbomou, in accordance with established procedures and in full transparency with national police and military authorities. The Minusca helicopter’s mission was to land at the Minusca camp airport in Bouar.”
He added: “All Minusca helicopters heading to Bouar typically land at this location, and this helicopter followed the standard diversion procedure. It was a routine operation conducted according to the normal Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and in full coordination with Central African police and military authorities.”
He concluded: “These clarifications are intended to ensure that the flight in question was conducted in full compliance with the established protocols between Minusca and Central African authorities, and that no breach of these protocols was observed.”
Local authorities’ position:
The information is completely fabricated, according to local authorities in Bouar.
Dieu-Beni Massina, president of the special delegation of Bouar, and currently the only competent authority in Nana-Mambéré prefecture, specifically in Bouar, in the absence of the prefect, said when contacted by phone: “You are the one informing me; I have no information nor have I been aware of such events in my jurisdiction.”
Reactions from Central African political authorities:
Manipulation and incitement to hatred against Minusca, according to Central African political authorities.
Moreover, we were also able to contact Maxime Baloulou, Minister in Charge of Communication and Media, government spokesperson, who indicated: “I have no information from the authorities in that locality regarding this matter. Therefore, it is pure manipulation and incitement against Minusca.”
In conclusion, the post claiming that Minusca is accused of supplying weapons to the CPC rebels in Bouar is false, as verified by Centrafrique Check.
