The UN has accused armed groups, including the military-linked Wagner Ti Azande, of committing murders and rapes in the Central African Republic, targeting Muslim populations and Sudanese refugees. The report details atrocities, with calls for accountability and clarification of military connections. Despite attempts to stabilize the region, violence continues to displace millions.
The United Nations has reported severe human rights violations in the Central African Republic (CAR), accusing armed groups, specifically one linked to the military, of murdering and raping civilians. These attacks occurred in October and January and were orchestrated by Wagner Ti Azande (WTA), which is affiliated with the national army. The report highlights that some of the attackers are from the Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (AAKG) group, which is also involved in similar atrocities.
Investigators revealed that the victims predominantly belonged to Muslim communities, including refugees from Sudan. At least 24 civilians were killed, with reports detailing brutal methods such as tying victims before throwing them into rivers alive. UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk emphasized that “horrible crimes must not go unpunished,” asserting the need for accountability and clarity regarding the military’s relationship with WTA.
Furthermore, the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) stated that WTA and AAKG were responsible for serious offenses, including summary executions, torture, and looting. The WTA is a faction that emerged from AAKG, formed in 2023 to defend the Zande community against the Fulani rebel group, UPC, which poses a threat to them.
The Zande, primarily Christian, constitute the largest ethnic demographic in Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou, while the Fulani are mainly Muslim. The WTA fighters are reported to have undergone training by the Russian Wagner Group. The UN report notes that Muslim populations and Sudanese asylum seekers were deliberately targeted as they were perceived as supportive of the UPC.
In response to the violence, CAR authorities have arrested 14 suspects in Haut-Mbomou and the capital, Bangui. Despite its rich resources, CAR remains one of the poorest nations, plagued by a continuous cycle of coups and civil wars since gaining independence from France in 1960. Although violence has receded in major cities in recent years, sporadic conflicts persist, often involving rebels and the government, supported by Wagner and Rwandan troops.
Human Rights Watch reported that 2.8 million people were affected by violence last year, with 1.2 million Central Africans remaining as either refugees or internally displaced individuals, reflecting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The UN’s report highlights the grave human rights abuses in the CAR, particularly against vulnerable populations such as Muslims and refugees from Sudan. Armed groups associated with the military, notably WTA, have been accused of committing heinous crimes. Efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and clarify military affiliations are essential to prevent future violations. The ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises underline the urgent need for effective governance and stability in the region.
Original Source: www.newindianexpress.com
