| 2017 Alindao massacre | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Central African Republic Civil War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Union for Peace in the Central African Republic | Anti-balaka | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Ali Darassa | |||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 136+ people killed and 110+ people injured | |||||||
  Alindao Location within Central African Republic | |||||||
Between 7 and 9 May 2017 at least 136 civilians were killed in series of reprisal killings by Anti-balaka and UPC fighters.
The clashes were triggered by arrest of two young boys by Muslim combatants who were accused of being part of self-defense group. Anti-balaka militias in response kidnapped family of a Séléka member to pressure group to release the boys. On 7 May shootout started between both groups. [1] On 9 May UPC supported by local Muslims attacked Paris-Congo and Banguiville neighborhoods in Alindao. They conducted door-to-door searches, looking for men to kill and women and girls to rape. Human Rights Watch documented 12 cases of rape by UPC fighters in Alindao in May 2017. One woman described as fighters raped her and her husband and then murdered her husband and daughter with gunshots. Local UPC fighters were led by Ali Darassa. [2] Bruno Bagaza, a Red Cross volunteer was killed by UPC fighters while wearing his uniform. [3]
As UPC fighters managed to repel Anti-balaka attack on the town on 9 May, Anti-balaka fighters withdrew towards Mingala. [4] According to unconfirmed reports around 10 churches were destroyed or looted in the surrounding villages as the rebels retreated. [5]
At least 136 people were killed. [2] Some bodies were thrown into the wells. [1] At least 19 of them (including an imam) were killed by Anti-balakas while at least 37 of them were killed by UPC fighters. [6] At least 110 people were injured. [7] 14,382 people reportedly took shelter at local Catholic mission. 329 houses had been burnt down. [4]
Alindao is a town and sub-prefecture located in the Central African Republic prefecture of Basse-Kotto. It lies at the junction of the National Route 2 and 22. Alindao had a population of 14,401 as of the 2003 census; and a calculated 2013 population of 15,213. The town is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alindao. It has a small airport, Alindao Airport. A Catholic Mission was established at Alindao during French occupation under French Equatorial Africa.
Ippy is a town located in the Central African Republic prefecture of Ouaka, and is located near the geographic center of the country. It is 364 kilometers from the city of Bangui directly. Driving distance, however, is 496 kilometers.
Kembé is a town located in the Central African Republic prefecture of Basse-Kotto. The Kotto Falls double waterfall is nearby.
Black Russians is an unofficial name given to a group of pro–government militias in the Central African Republic, recruited mostly from former Anti-balaka and UPC fighters by Wagner Group. The militias have been accused of multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Central African Republic Civil War is an ongoing civil war in the Central African Republic (CAR) involving the government, rebels from the Séléka coalition, and Anti-balaka militias.
Séléka CPSK-CPJP-UFDR was an alliance of rebel militia groups that subjugated the Central African Republic (CAR) on 24 March 2013. After its official dissolution in September 2013, the remaining rebel groups became known as Ex-Séléka. Séléka leader Michel Djotodia became the nation's president from March 2013 until his resignation in January 2014. Members of Séléka were almost all Muslim.
An internal conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) started essentially on 13 April 2013, when the government of President Michel Djotodia officially took over. The fighting was between the government of the Central African Republic's former Séléka coalition of rebel groups, who are mainly from the Muslim minority, and the mainly Christian anti-balaka coalition. The conflict was part of the ongoing Central African Republic Civil War (2012–present). International organisations, such as the United Nations, had warned of a possible genocide. UNSC resolution 2122 authorised the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) to be deployed to the country, and France to lead operations with additional troops sent to bolster its force in the country. Following a summit of Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC), including the attendance of all the country's MPs, Djotodia resigned from the presidency on 10 January 2014. The National Transitional Council chose Bangui mayor Catherine Samba-Panza as interim president on 20 January 2014. A period of lawlessness prevailed during the early days of her presidency with people moving into religiously cleansed neighbourhoods as the UN warned of a genocide. Anti-Balaka attacks continued against Muslim civilians.
The Anti-balaka is an alliance of militia groups based in the Central African Republic in the early 21st century said to be composed primarily of Christians. However, some church leaders have contested the claimed exclusively Christian character of such groups. The Tony Blair Faith Foundation and journalist Andrew Katz have noted that animists also participate in Anti-balaka groups.
The following is a timeline of events during the Central African Republic Civil War.
During May 2017, a massacre occurred in the Central African Republic town of Bangassou after Anti-balaka militias launched an attack in the area.
On 18 January 2014 more than 100 people were killed by Anti-balaka militias in Bossemptélé in the Ouham-Pendé prefecture of the Central African Republic.
From December 2018 to January 2019 heavy clashes took place in Bakouma in Central African Republic.
From 2013 to 2020, around 15,000 Muslims were been besieged in PK5 district in Bangui, Central African Republic.
On 6 October 2021, 34 civilians were murdered in attack on Matchika village in the Central African Republic.
Between 6 and 16 December 2021, a number of Muslim civilians were killed and injured by Anti-balaka fighters supported by government forces and Russian mercenaries in the Boyo commune, located in the Ouaka prefecture of the Central African Republic (CAR). These civilians were attacked for their alleged links with Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) rebels. The attacks are part of the larger CAR Civil War which has been ongoing since 2012.
On 15 November 2018 at least 112 people including 19 children, 44 women and 49 men were killed in attacks on refugee camps in Alindao by UPC and Anti-balaka fighters. At least 27 people were injured including four children.
Boyo is a village located in the Central African Republic prefecture of Ouaka.
Abdoulaye Hissène is a former Central African warlord, general in the Popular Front for the Rebirth of Central African Republic (FPRC), minister of youth, sanctioned by international institutions for committing multiple war crimes.
Dimitri Placide Ayoloma – is an Anti-balaka commander from the Central African Republic, active in Ouaka and Kémo prefectures. He is responsible for multiple crimes including killing of peacekeeper, looting, arson, assault and kidnapping for ransom.