2022 Gadzi clashes

2022 Gadzi clashes
Part of the Central African Republic Civil War
Representative Janssen Wandoui Si-Ingkossi visits displaced people in Yaloké following clashes in nearby Gadzi
Date 27 March – 11 April 2022 Location Gadzi and Yaloke, Central African Republic 5°12′N16°54′E / 5.2°N 16.9°E / 5.2; 16.9
Belligerents
Anti-balaka (pro-government faction) Local population	Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation Armed Fulani population
Commanders and leaders
Severin Ndoguia	General Bobbo
Strength
150+
Casualties and losses
Dozens killed, 2,300+ displaced [1]
class=notpageimage| Location within Central African Republic Show map of Central African Republic 2022 Gadzi clashes (Africa) Show map of Africa

Map of places mentioned

20km
12miles

Zaoro-Yanga

Yassimbere

Boybale

(Zawa)

Gnom

Mayaka

Zawele

Gontikiri

Zokombo

Gadzi

  

Blue = 3R attack, yellow = Anti-balaka attack, red = presence of armed forces

In late March and April 2022 series of intercommunal clashes between in Gadzi and neighboring Yaloke subprefectures in the Central African Republic resulted in dozens of deaths and more than two thousand displaced people.

Attacks

On 27 March around 150–200 Fulani and 3R rebels attacked Gontikiri village near Gadzi with light and heavy weapons. ^[2] Since the end of March, a series of attacks in the region have killed ten civilians and injured one person severely. ^[3]

On 3 April group of 12 merchants on board of seven motorcycles was caught by 3R rebels in Zawélé village while travelling towards weekly market in Guen village. They stripped them of all their belongings and burned down all the motorcycles. Victims, severely beaten were hospitalized in serious condition. ^{[4] [5]} Local population in response carried out a reprisal attack on a camp of Fulani Mbororo herders, causing several deaths and injuries. In response Fulani asked 3R rebels to come to support them. The rebels attacked local population in the villages of Gontikiri, Zawélé, Mayaka, ^[4] Moinam, Gbon, Zokombo, ^[3] and Zaoro-Yanga. ^[1] Yassimbéré and Boibalé villages were attacked on 8 April with seven people being shot dead by armed Fulani. Their motorcycles were burnt. ^[5] On the same day alleged 3R rebels attacked convoy of seven motorcycles in Gontikiri village killing three people, looting stuff and burning motorcycles. ^{[4] [6]} Attackers in total killed dozens of people ^[4] and vandalized and looted people's houses and belongings as well as causing massive population displacement. ^[3] Local youths reportedly tried to repel the invaders however without weapons attackers managed to overran the region with the town of Gadzi being reportedly emptied of its population. ^[7]

On 8 April between 15:00 and 17:00 Anti-balaka fighters attacked Fulani camp located in the bush near the village of Zawa. At least a dozen people were killed, thirty oxen slaughtered and houses burnt. The Anti-balaka fighters belonged to pro-government faction led by general Severin Ndoguia alias "Le Bleu". ^[8] On 11 April around 15:00 Anti-balaka fighters attacked Fulani camp in Bekadili village. Around 13 people were killed in total and 100 oxen were stolen by the attackers. ^[9]

Population displacement

Fighting caused massive population displacement with 2,000 people fleeing to Zawa and 300 to Yaloke. ^[1] with some people reportedly in the bush without food. ^[7] Displaced people found refuge with host families and in a school. Some of them were without shelter having to sleep in the open. Humanitarian partners were reported to be mobilizing. ^[3] It was also reported that refugees were lacking medical care, food and drinking water. ^[1] Local deputy, Janssen Wandoui So-Ingkossi went to Yaloke and Gadzi where he distributed food to the people. He called on government and international organizations to help displaced people as well for armed forces to be deployed in Gadzi. ^[10] They mayor of commune of Mbali, Fidèle Zoranga, also called for deployment of armed forces in the area which he described as abandoned. ^[6]

References

1. "Centrafrique : environ 2000 déplacés de Gadzi à Zawa et Yaloké appellent à l'aide" [Central African Republic: around 2,000 displaced people from Gadzi to Zawa and Yaloké call for help] (in French). RadioNdekeLuka. 28 April 2022.
2. ZAWA (OMBELA-MPOKO) 27.03.22: 150-200 Rebelles peuls et 3R ont attaqués le village GONTIKIRI. Armes legéres et lourdes. Tenue militaire et civile. Exations. Détonation d'armes légères dans la ville, Centre D'appel 1320
3. "West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (12-18 April 2022)". OCHA. 19 April 2022.
4. Lenga, Gervais (10 April 2022). "Centrafrique : nouvelle flambée de violence interethnique à Gadzi, plusieurs morts" [Central African Republic: new outbreak of interethnic violence in Gadzi, several dead] (in French). CorbeauNews.
5. Belly, Sandra Cynthia (11 April 2022). "Centrafrique : Situation sécuritaire toujours incertaine à Zawa, localité située à 20km de Yaloké dans l'Ombella-Mpoko" [Central African Republic: Security situation still uncertain in Zawa, a locality located 20km from Yaloké in Ombella-Mpoko] (in French). RJDH.
6. "Résume du 10 ème numéro du journal hebdomadaire #Kolokoto du 15 Avril 2022" [Summary of the 10th issue of the weekly newspaper # Kolokoto of April 15, 2022] (in French). Réseau des Médias Communautaires de Centrafrique.
7. Jacko (26 April 2022). "Gadzi : La situation humanitaire reste alarmante" [Gadzi: The humanitarian situation remains alarming] (in French). LePotentielCentrafricain.
8. Ibrahimm, D.Y. (10 April 2022). "Zawa – Yaloké : une attaque d'un campement des Peuls fait une dizaine des morts et des blessés" [New bloody attack by armed militiamen in a camp of Fulani herders in Mambéré, ten dead] (in French). CorbeauNews.
9. Koulaninga, Arthur (11 April 2022). "Nouvelle attaque sanglante des miliciens armés dans un campement des éleveurs peuls dans le Mambéré, une dizaine des morts" [New bloody attack by armed militiamen in a camp of Fulani herders in Mambéré, ten dead] (in French). CorbeauNews.
10. Lenga, Gervais (21 April 2022). "Conflit intercommunautaire à Gadzi, le député Janssen WANDOUI SO-INGKOSSI réitère son appel au gouvernement et à la communauté internationale" [Intercommunity conflict in Gadzi, MP Janssen WANDOUI SO-INGKOSSI reiterates his appeal to the government and the international community] (in French). CorbeauNews.