Battle of Bangui (2021)

Not to be confused with Battle of Bangui (2013).

Battle of Bangui
Part of Central African Republic Civil War
Date 13 January 2021 Location Bangui, Central African Republic Result Government victory
Belligerents
Central African Republic MINUSCA   Rwanda   Russia	Coalition of Patriots for Change
Commanders and leaders
Faustin-Archange Touadéra	François Bozizé
Units involved
Wagner Group	Anti-balaka MPC 3R UPC FPRC
Strength
	200 rebels
Casualties and losses
One killed and one injured Several injured [1]	30 killed, five captured [2]
Several civilians injured [1]

On 13 January 2021 around 200 rebels from Coalition of Patriots for Change attacked Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, in an attempt to overthrow the government which resulted in failure.

Background

In December 2020 major rebel groups in Central African Republic created Coalition of Patriots for Change. They were led by former president François Bozizé. They tried to prevent organization of 2020–21 Central African general election. ^[3]

According to testimonies by members of armed groups Francois Bozize was directly involved in preparation and coordination of attack on Bangui. ^[3] Karim Meckassoua, former president of National Assembly was also involved in preparations in coordination with Bozize, Noureddine Adam, Ali Darassa and several MPC generals. According to testimonies he was hoping that if coup d’état was successful he would be head of transitional government. However Bozize was convinced that Meckassoua was trying to double-cross him which lead to refusal of Bangui-based Anti-balaka fighters to join the attack. They were supposed to create chaos in Bangui which would allow other fighters to enter the capital. Meckassoua however denied all accusations. ^[3]

Battle

Civilians flee clashes between rebels and security forces in Bangui

Around 5:45 am around ten rebels armed with rocket launchers and Kalashnikov rifles were spotted in PK 11, Damala, PK 12 and Pindao in Bangui. ^[4] Around 200 rebels ^[5] attacked military barracks 9 km and 12 km from the capital. They also attacked Bimbo neighborhood. Residents were reporting gunfire in different parts of the city. ^[6] Streets were scattered with bullet casings. ^[5] The attack was repelled and as of 8 am situation in the city was calm. One Rwandan soldier was killed and another was injured. ^[7] According to prime minister Firmin Ngrébada 30 rebels were killed and five were captured. ^[2] A few civilians were injured including France Beldo, 31 year old woman hit by stray bullet into hand, chest and shoulder. ^[8]

One of captured rebels was shown live on television. Interior minister Henri Wanzet Linguissara claimed that he was a Chadian citizen. The Chadian government denied the accusation. ^{[9] [10]}

References

1. In Pictures: Panic grips Bangui residents after rebel attack, 14 January 2021
2. RCA: les combats font état de 30 rebelles tués, d’autres capturés et des armes saisies, 13 January 2021
3. "Letter dated 25 June 2021 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to resolution 2536 (2020) addressed to the President of the Security Council" (PDF). reliefweb.int.
4. Alertes infos : incursion des rebelles de la CPC au pk12 à Bangui Archived 2021-08-31 at the Wayback Machine , 13 January 2021
5. Bullets and panic: rebels attack Central African Republic capital, 13 January 2021
6. Central African Republic soldiers repel rebels at capital, 13 January 2021
7. Rebels launch attacks on Central African Republic’s capital, 13 January 2021
8. Central African Republic: A visual journey through a year of renewed violence in an old conflict, 17 December 2021
9. CHAD’S INVOLVEMENT IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC INSECURITY UNDER INVESTIGATION AS TROOPS DISCOVER CHADIAN NATIONALS AMONG ARRESTED CPC REBEL GROUP, 15 January 2021
10. RCA : des assaillants armés capturés par les FACA avec l’aide des populations, de la MINUSCA et des partenaires bilatéraux, 14 January 2021