CSW is deeply concerned by growing violence and insecurity in Zemio Town in the Haut-Mbomou Prefecture of the Central African Republic (CAR), which has included the targeting of government officials and the UN Peacekeeping Mission in CAR (MINUSCA), amidst a sharp increase in hate speech against Muslims and Puel or Fulani ethnic groups.
Tensions arose in the area on 15 March, when two young men from the Fulani community travelled to Zemio to register to vote. After they left Zemio, they did not reach their homes and were later found dead. Four others who travelled to Zemio for medical treatment boarded a motorbike taxi but never arrived at their homes and are still missing, with officials presuming they may be dead. On 16 March Russian Mercenaries detained two men they believed where responsible. This resulted in unofficial roadblocks being set up, and members predominantly of the Azande militia calling for the end of electoral registration in the city, and for a ban on all Muslims and non-Azande residing in or visiting Zemio.
On 24 March the Mayor of Zemio, Rosalie Nawira, attempted to bring communities together, including the town’s Christian, Fulani and Muslim groups, with a view to restoring peace in the area. The meeting was tense and resulted in her calling for peaceful coexistence in response to calls by others for Zemio and its surrounding areas to be for the Azande community alone.
On 28 March UN peacekeepers were attacked outside of Zemio resulting in the death of a Kenyan peacekeeper.
On 2 April Russian fighters arrested a man reportedly belonging to the Wagner Ti Azande militia who was suspected of involvement in the killing of the two Muslim men on 15 March and the 28 March attack on the MINUSCA patrol. The suspect, referred to locally as ‘Ballie’, was transferred to the gendarmerie on the same day. A crowd followed calling for his release, causing the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) to fire into the air to disperse them, while UN peacekeepers prevented the crowd from reaching the mayor’s residence.
On 3 April, the suspect was transferred by helicopter to the capital, Bangui. A crowd amassed attempting to prevent the helicopter from leaving, and when that failed they dispersed into the town, targeting the mayor’s official residences and causing the market and local businesses to shut down. Three properties, including the mayor’s official residence, were razed to the ground. For her safety, the mayor was evacuated to Bangui by MINUSCA. The unrest also led to the displacement of civilians.
In a press conference on 9 April, a UN spokesperson announced the increase of MINUSCA presence in Zemio town and joint patrols with the FACA. The local Member of Parliament for Zemio, Éric Kpiodigu, organised meetings in the town on 14 April to speak with the community, and the town has seen the tentative resumption of activities since then.
CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘The recent cycles of violence and insecurity in Zemio Town are deeply concerning. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those who have been killed or disappeared in the recent unrest, including the UN peacekeepers who died in the line of duty. These incidents indicate an acute deterioration in the security situation in Zemio. CSW is particularly concerned by the high levels of hate speech being articulated by some groups, and the possible restrictions on electoral registrations. We commend steps taken by the Mayor of Zemio to address the crisis and encourage dialogue among the various communities. The increase in MINUSCA and FACA patrols should provide additional reassurance to civilians; however, the worrying levels of ethnic and religious hate speech must be addressed swiftly, as they foster intolerance and often lead to acts of violence. We urge the government of CAR to take urgent action to protect all civilians in Zemio, recognising that the actions of some within the security sector have eroded the social fabric through asymmetrical policing of Muslim communities.’