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Anti-balaka

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anti-balaka
LeadersBernard Bonda(Mokom branch)
Igor Lamaka(Ngaïssona branch)
Maxime MokomSurrendered
Dieudonné NdomatéSurrendered
Levy Yakete†
Patrice Edouard NgaissonaSurrendered
See full list
Dates of operation2013–present
HeadquartersBossangoa[1](until 2021)
N'Djamena,Chad(since 2021)[2]
Active regionsCentral African Republic
Part ofCoalition of Patriots for Change(since 2020)
OpponentsSélékaand splinter groups (until 2020)
Battles and warsCentral African Republic Civil War (2012–present)

TheAnti-balaka(anti-machete) is an alliance[citation needed]ofmilitiagroups based in theCentral African Republicin the early 21st century said bythe Guardianto be composed primarily of Christians, but also some Muslims.[3]However, some church leaders have contested the claimed exclusively Christian character of such groups.[4]TheTony Blair Faith Foundationand journalist Andrew Katz have noted thatanimistsalso participate in Anti-balaka groups.[5][6]

This militia[clarification needed]formed in theCentral African Republicafter the rise to power ofMichel Djotodiain 2013.[7]Amnesty Internationalreported in 2015 that some members of anti-balaka groups hadforcibly convertedMuslimstoChristianity.[8]Anti-balaka leaders have also been present at torture session of people accused of beingwitchesin public ceremonies, and the Anti-balaka have been accused of extorting money with witchcraft accusation, according to an internal UN report.[9]

Terminology

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Though "anti-balaka" is often translated as "anti-machete", a different origin is also claimed:

[It is] from the language of the young illiterates, who formedSeleka's armed opposition, and who chased the Muslim 'anti-balles à ti laka' (anti ti laka bullets). The term 'laka' in the street language of the Central African Republic means anAK-47.The anti-balakas are therefore the bearers ofgrigrismeant to stopKalashnikovbullets.[10]

UN Congolese peace-keepers' murder and torture of Anti-balaka

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According toHuman Rights Watch,Congolese peacekeeping forces operating under the auspices of the UN murdered a number of Anti-balaka, including a mass murder of 12 people, and tortured others.[11]

History

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Some commentators have said that village militias formed in the 1990s to protect against highwaymen were a precursor to the Antibalaka.[7]Unable to provide security throughout the remote areas of the country, PresidentFrançois Bozizéorganized, self-protection groups in 2009 to combat crime on the village level; these took the name Antibalaka.[5]

In March 2013, President Bozizé (a Christian) was overthrown by a coup during theCentral African Republic Civil Warby a mostly Muslim rebel coalition known asSéléka.The leader of the Séléka,Michel Djotodia,became the first Muslim president of the country.[12]With the disbanding of the army by Djotodia, many army members joined the militia, boosting their numbers and helping train them.[5]

Djotodia announced the dissolution of the Séléka in September 2013,[13]but most of the militias refused to disband.[14]The Séléka and the anti-balaka engaged in a cycle of increasing violence.[14][15]

As many Christians had more settled lifestyles and many Muslims were nomadic, competing claims to the land were another dimension of the tensions.[16]In November 2013, the UN warned that the country was at risk of spiraling into genocide,[17]and was "descending into complete chaos".[18]France described the country as "...on the verge of genocide ".[19]On 2 December 2013, anti-balaka militiamen are suspected to have killed 12 people, including children, and wounded 30 others in an attack on the mostly-MuslimFulainBoali,according to the government.[20]This was amidst theCentral African Republic conflict under the Djotodia administration.

Territories under control of Anti-balaka in 2014

Early 2014 marked a turning point; hardened by war and massacres, the anti-balaka committed multiple atrocities.[6]In December 2013,UNICEFreported that in sectarian violence inBangui,at least two children were beheaded and one of them was mutilated.[21]

2014

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In 2014, Amnesty International reported several massacres committed by anti-balaka militias against Muslim civilians, forcing thousands of Muslims to flee the country.[22]On 13 January more than 100 people were killed by Anti-balaka inBossemptélé massacre.[23]

In 2014, thecorpseofCamille Lepage,a missing Frenchphotojournalist,was found by French soldiers in a truck used by Anti-Balaka members.[24]

On 24 June 100 Anti-balaka fighters attackedBambari.46 people were killed and 28 wounded.[25]

2017

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On 9 May 2017 Anti-balaka attacked UPC forces in Alindao before withdrawing to Mingala.[26]On 13 May Anti-balakaattacked Bangassoukilling more than 115 people including one peacekeeper.[27]On 18 May heavy clashes erupted between Anti-balaka and ex-Seleka in Bria resulting in 26 deaths.[28]

2018

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On 31 October 2018clashes broke outbetween anti-Balaka and ex-Séléka fighters in Batangafo resulting in at least 15 deaths.[29]

2019

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Anti-balaka fighter inMobaye,2019

In 2019, an Anti-balaka leader inSatemakilled a 14-year-old girl in aritualistic wayto increase profit from mines.[30]

2020

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  • 3 August: Anti-balaka attacked Grimari blocking roads to Sibut and Bambari. FACA managed to recapture city the same day killing one Anti-balaka commander.[31]
  • 23 October: Clashes erupted between two factions of Anti-balaka inBatangafo.[32]Clashes were also reported later between Anti-balaka and ex-Séléka in the city. Seven people were killed (including three civilians and four militiamen) and more than 100 injured.[33]
  • 17 December: Anti-balaka joinedCoalition of Patriots for Change.[34]
  • 26 December: Anti-balaka fighters fromKaga-BandoroattackedDekoakilling three Burundian peacekeepers. Three militiamen were arrested by MINUSCA forces.[35]

2021

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Since 2021 large number of former Anti-balaka fighters were recruited by Wagner Group into so-calledBlack Russians.They were responsible for numerous war crimes, including2021 Boyo killings.[36]

List of Anti-balaka leaders

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Main article:List of warlords in the Central African Republic § Anti-balaka

See also

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References

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  1. ^"How to prevent a return to violence in the Central African Republic".October 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 2020-11-24.Retrieved2020-12-18.
  2. ^François Bozizé et d'autres chefs rebelles centrafricains se trouvent à NdjamenaArchived2021-11-16 at theWayback Machine,7 November 2021
  3. ^"Christian militias take bloody revenge on Muslims in Central African Republic".Guardian. 10 March 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2019.Retrieved29 January2018.
  4. ^"There are no Christian militias killing Muslims in the Central African Republic".Aid to the Church in Need. Archived fromthe originalon 7 May 2019.Retrieved26 September2016.
  5. ^abcEmily Mellgard."What is the Antibalaka?".tonyblairfaithfoundation. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2016.Retrieved26 September2016.
  6. ^abAndrew Katz (May 29, 2014)."'A Question of Humanity': Witness to the Turning Point In Central African Republic ".Time.Archivedfrom the original on September 20, 2018.RetrievedJune 4,2014.
  7. ^abC.Africa militia is an enemy of peace: French commanderArchived2016-03-14 at theWayback Machine,apa.az, accessed 14 March 2014
  8. ^Central African Republic: Unprotected Muslims forced to abandon religionArchived2018-07-24 at theWayback Machine,Amnesty International UK (July 31, 2015).
  9. ^Esslemont, Tom."Witch burning rebels stoke Central African Republic violence".U.S.Archivedfrom the original on 2019-02-04.Retrieved2018-04-11.
  10. ^See: "La République centrafricaine: le naufrage d'un Etat, l'agonie d'une Nation», Didier Niewiadowski",Revue d'étude et de recherche sur le droit et l'administration dans les pays d'Afrique,May 2014, quoted inBlood Timber, How Europe Helped Fund War in the Central African Republic(Report), End Notes n. 21, p. 48Archived2015-08-12 at theWayback Machine
  11. ^"Central African Republic: Murder by Peacekeepers | Human Rights Watch".7 June 2016.
  12. ^"Religious tensions rise in C.Africa after coup".AFP. March 31, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon February 27, 2014.RetrievedDecember 4,2013.
  13. ^"CAR's Djotodia dissolves Seleka rebel group".AFP. 13 September 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 3 September 2014.Retrieved5 December2013.
  14. ^ab"Unspeakable horrors in a country on the verge of genocide".AFP. 22 November 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 2 December 2016.Retrieved5 December2013.
  15. ^"CAR's death toll much higher than thought, says Amnesty".BBC News. 19 December 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 19 December 2013.Retrieved19 December2013.
  16. ^"'We Live and Die Here Like Animals'".Foreign Policy.13 November 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 2 December 2014.Retrieved25 November2013.
  17. ^"UN warning over Central African Republic genocide risk".BBC News. 4 November 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 16 March 2018.Retrieved4 December2013.
  18. ^"BBC News - Central African Republic 'descending into chaos' - UN".BBC News. 26 November 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 5 December 2013.Retrieved5 December2013.
  19. ^"France says Central African Republic on verge of genocide".Reuters. 21 November 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 23 November 2013.Retrieved4 December2013.
  20. ^"Central African Republic militia 'killed' children".BBC News. 4 December 2013.Retrieved5 December2013.
  21. ^Mark Tran & agencies,Children 'beheaded and mutilated' in Central African Republic, says Unicef,The Guardian(December 30, 2013).
  22. ^"Christian threats force Muslim convoy to turn back in CAR exodus".The Guardian.14 February 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 2 February 2017.Retrieved17 February2014.
  23. ^"Central African Republic: Ethnic cleansing and sectarian killings"(PDF).Amnesty International.12 February 2014.Archived(PDF)from the original on 16 April 2021.Retrieved27 August2021.
  24. ^"French photojournalist Camille Lepage killed in Central African Republic".the Guardian.May 13, 2014.RetrievedFeb 16,2021.
  25. ^Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Central African RepublicArchived2021-09-29 at theWayback Machine,1 August 2014
  26. ^"Central African Republic. Operational Update"(PDF).May 2017.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2021-04-19.Retrieved2021-08-27.
  27. ^"Red Cross: 115 bodies found in CAR's Bangassou".17 May 2017.
  28. ^"CAR: Clashes break out in Bria (northeast) May 18-19".Archivedfrom the original on 2021-04-15.Retrieved2021-08-27.
  29. ^"Summary of internal review on the October 31st events in Batangafo, Central African Republic"(PDF).February 2019. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2020-03-24.Retrieved2021-08-27.
  30. ^Letter dated 6 December 2019 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to resolution 2454 (2019) addressed to the President of the Security CouncilArchived5 April 2023 at theWayback Machine,page 153
  31. ^"RCA: vive tension à Grimari, un général Anti-Balaka tué par les FACA".3 August 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 18 September 2020.Retrieved27 August2021.
  32. ^"Centrafrique: Deux factions des antibalaka font couler des sangs à Batangafo".25 October 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 5 December 2020.Retrieved27 August2021.
  33. ^"Centrafrique: 7 morts et une centaine de blessés, un bilan provisoire des violences au nord du pays".27 October 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 30 October 2020.Retrieved27 August2021.
  34. ^Centrafrique: Déclaration de la Coalition des Patriotes pour le ChangementArchived2022-12-07 at theWayback Machine,18 December 2020
  35. ^Centrafrique: Résumé d’actualité de la semaine en 10 pointsArchived2021-01-09 at theWayback Machine,9 January 2021
  36. ^L’incroyable constellation des groupes armés en CentrafriqueArchived2023-07-29 at theWayback Machine,27 July 2023
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