The Facebook post from July 12, 2022, claims that the prefect and the prosecutor of Bambari orchestrated a massacre of Muslim and Peuhl residents in collusion with Russian forces in Bambari, Ouaka, a city located 376 km in the center of the CAR. This is false information that should be avoided.
Published on the Corbeau News Centrafrique website and shared in various Facebook groups.
The post states: “Fraud, kidnapping, torture, murder, the prefect of Ouaka and the prosecutor of Bambari are implicated…”
Verification Summary:
A claim on the Corbeau News website alleges massacres of Muslim and Peuhl individuals in Bambari, authorized by the prefect and prosecutor in collusion with Russians. This is false, according to AFC’s checks with local authorities in Bambari.
Detailed Verification:
Why is this information false?
In the verification process, we contacted Victor Bissekoin, prefect of Ouaka, who rejects these allegations:
“It is false, no tangible evidence supports these accusations. They are invented to mislead public opinion and damage my reputation; these accusers should provide their evidence.”
“These are radically false and baseless claims. The reality is that both the prefect and I are working for peace in Ouaka. Those spreading such information are spreading falsehoods about the CAR; these are fake news.”
Olivier Bombo, the Prosecutor of Ouaka, also denied the claims:
“These are outrageously false. The reality is that both the prefect and I are working for peace in Ouaka. Those publishing such information are bringing misfortune to the CAR, spreading fake news.”
To further verify, we also contacted the Local Peace Committee (CLP) through its president, Pastor Jeannot Nguerenendji, who denies the information:
“Absolutely not. Peace and calm have returned to Bambari. These rumors arise only to disrupt the activities of those who have effectively contributed to peace in our locality, including the prefect and the prosecutor.”
He continued:
“Furthermore, we have recently observed an operation in Bambari to identify individuals.”
Bambari was previously occupied by the armed group UPC (Unit for Peace in Central Africa) for several years. However, the city has been recaptured by conventional forces supported by Russian and Rwandan forces. Consequently, social media has been rife with allegations accusing administrative and judicial authorities, including the prefect and prosecutor of Bambari, of unlawful acts, which are unfounded.
By Fouf Kagna, AFC
Do you find information or images suspicious? Contact our editorial team at 00236 74 02 15 70/ 75 81 61 38/ 75 38 11 73, or email us at [email protected]
