The UN has accused armed groups, particularly Wagner Ti Azande, of raping and murdering civilians in the Central African Republic. The report details attacks on Muslim communities and refugees, with at least 24 fatalities, prompting calls for accountability from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Despite recent stabilization efforts, violence persists, affecting millions and leaving many displaced.
The United Nations has reported that armed groups, notably one affiliated with the military, have been involved in rapes and murders of civilians in the Central African Republic (CAR) during attacks occurring in October and January. Specifically, the assaults were directed by members of Wagner Ti Azande (WTA), which has strong ties to the national army.
WTA is a faction that emerged from Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (AAKG), which also played a role in these violent actions in the southern regions of Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou. Victims predominantly included adults and children from Muslim communities, as well as refugees from predominantly Muslim Sudan. Investigators from MINUSCA reported that at least 24 individuals were killed, with some fatalities occurring in particularly gruesome manners.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, emphasized that these grave violations “must not go unpunished,” declaring accountability essential to prevent future atrocities. He urged for clarification regarding the relationship between WTA and the national army. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted the involvement of WTA and, to a lesser extent, AAKG, in horrific acts such as summary executions, gang rapes, forced labor, and looting.
The WTA originated from AAKG, formed in February 2023 to ostensibly defend the Zande community against a rebel group known as the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC). Notably, the Zande, a largely Christian ethnic group, are predominant in the southern regions where the attacks occurred, while the UPC is principally composed of Muslim Fulani individuals.
Soldiers from WTA have been trained by the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, particularly in May 2024, amid the government’s efforts to reassert control over these southern territories. The report states that Muslim populations and Sudanese asylum seekers were specifically targeted as they were perceived to support the UPC. CAR authorities have reported the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the attacks.
Despite being rich in resources, CAR remains one of the poorest nations globally, enduring a history of coups and conflicts since its independence from France in 1960. Recently, violence has diminished in central regions, and the government has stabilized major cities, but remote areas still experience clashes between rebels and the national army, who are supported by Wagner mercenaries and Rwandan forces.
According to Human Rights Watch, violence impacted approximately 2.8 million individuals last year, with an estimated 1.2 million Central Africans currently displaced or seeking refuge despite ongoing repatriation efforts initiated by the UN.
The UN’s report highlights the alarming abuse of civilians in the Central African Republic, linking armed groups, including one associated with the national military, to violent acts against specific communities. Calls for accountability and clarification of military ties reflect the urgency of addressing human rights violations amidst an ongoing pattern of conflict and instability. The situation remains dire, with millions affected by violence and displacement, underscoring the need for international attention and intervention.
Original Source: www.newindianexpress.com
