Siege of PK5 district

Since 2013 around 15,000 Muslims had been besieged in PK5 district in Bangui, Central African Republic.[2][3]

Siege of PK5 district
Part of Central African Republic Civil War (2012-present)

Map of armed groups in PK5 district in July 2018
Date5 December 2013 – 4 January 2020
(6 years, 4 weeks and 2 days)
Location
PK5 district, Bangui
4.369°N 18.541°E / 4.369; 18.541
Result Government victory
Belligerents

Muslim self-defense groups
ex-Séléka (2013–6)

"Tola" (armed merchants)

 Central African Republic

  • FACA
  • Police
  • Gendarmerie
MINUSCA		 Anti-balaka
Commanders and leaders

Niméri Matar “Force”  (DOW)
Abdoul Danda  †
Mohamed Tahir "Apo"  †
Haroun Gaye  
Abdoulaye Hissène  

Djibril Youssouf		 Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet
Catherine Samba-Panza
Faustin-Archange Touadéra
Mombéka Marcel  †		 Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona  
Strength

185+ militants(2018)
400+ militants (2020)

200+ armed civilians (2020)		 2,390 police and gendarmerie (2019)[1] Unknown
Casualties and losses
28+ killed 2+ killed Unknown
107,000 civilians displaced

Background

Before March 2013 about 122,000 Muslims lived in Bangui.[2] On 24 March 2013 Muslim Séléka coalition captured Bangui.

Timeline

On 5 December 2013 Anti-balaka attacked Bangui. More than 50 bodies have been brought to a mosque in PK5 district.[4] In December 2013 self-defense groups emerged in PK5 neighborhood as a reponse to Anti-balaka attacks.[5]

MINUSCA soldiers in PK5 district, December 2015

On 26 June 2015 one of the leaders of PK5 self-defense groups, Haroun Gaye forced voter registration drive in PK5 to close. On 2 August 2015 MINUSCA tried to arrest him. His soldiers managed to repel attacks of international forces for seven hours using firearms, rocket launchers and grenades allowing him to escape. One peacekeeper was killed and eight were injured as a result.[6] On 25 September after Muslim driver was murder PK5 self-defense groups attacked in response Christian neighborhoods north of enclave. Anti-balaka responded and started erecting barricades, preventing UN soldiers from accessing areas plagued by violence. On 15 October three people were killed and dozen injured in clashes between Anti-balaka and self-defense groups after Anti-balaka fired at group of Muslim boys playing soccer.[7] At least 100 people were killed, 35,000 displaced and more than 1,075 buildings were destroyed between 26 September and 13 November as a result of clashes.[8]

On 30 November 2015 Pope Francis visited PK5 district calling for end of hostilities.[2] On 2 February 2016 it was reported that schools in PK5 will be reopened after two years.[9] On 11 February self-defense groups from PK5 and Boeing signed non-aggression pact.[10]

On 19 June members of "50/50" self-defense force abducted six policemen demanding release of their fellow fighters who were arrested by security forces. On 20 June clashes erupted between MINUSCA and militiamen resulting in seven deaths (three civilians and four militiamen) and one peacekeeper being injured.[11] On 12 August 35 ex-Seleka fighters including Abdoulaye Hissène and Haroun Gaye withdrew from PK5.[12] On 4 October FACA commander, Mombéka Marcel, was assassinated by PK5 self-defense groups.[13] On 30 October heavy clashes erupted between "Force" and "50/50" self-defense groups resulting in 10 deaths including Abdoul Danda and Issa Kappi.[14]

On 7 February 2017 while security forces were trying to arrest militia leader Youssouf Malinga aka "Big Man" fire was exchanged between groups resulting in two civilians and two militiamen (inclduing Youssouf himself) being killed. In response rebels murdered local pastor, Jean-Paul Sankagui.[15]

On 17 January 2018 clashes erupted between "Force" self-defense group and group of armed traders "Tola" after merchants refused to pay taxes to militiamen. 47 shops were damaged as a result.[16]

Failed disarmament operation
Protests against MINUSCA after failed Operation Sukula

In the night between 7 and 8 April 2018 MINUSCA and FACA launched "Operation Sukula" to disarm PK5 self-defense groups. Two militiamen were killed, 45 civilians and militiamen were injured and 12 peacekeepers were wounded. Local police station was burned down by members of militia following departure of security forces. On 10 April Rwandan peacekeepers engaged in gun battle with crowd of angry people some of which were armed who were protesting abduction of woman on the outskirts of PK5 district. 30 people were killed and 100 injured by Rwandan forces while one Rwandan peacekeeper was killed and eight injured. Security forces withdrew from the area as a result.[17][18] On 11 January demonstration against MINUSCA was held during which bodies of 17 people killed during clashes were displayed.[19]

On 1 May PK5 self-defense forces led by Niméri Matar stormed Church of Fatima killing 27 people and wounding 170.[10] On 6 May Anti-balaka with support of security forces attacked PK5 district, however their attack was repelled.[20] On 20 May it was reported that taxis will resume operation in PK5.[21] On 2 October six people were killed (including three civilians and three militiamen) and 10 injured as a result of shootout between "Force" and "Moussa Danda" groups. On 15 October pregnant woman was murdered by members of "Apo" group. On 24 October two militiamen from "50/50" were injured following shootout.[22]

On 1 June 2019 Niméri Matar, leader of PK5 self-defense groups died of sickness.[23] On 10 July heavy clashes erupted between members of militias resulting in four people being killed and 26 injured.[24] On 29 November two militiamen were killed as a result of clashes between fighters loyal to "LT" and "Kamba-ti-Wa". FACA soldiers were deployed in surrounding neighborhoods to secure fleeing people.[25]

Defeat of self-defense groups and aftermath

On 26 December 2019 members of militia tried to force traders to pay tax for sale of Christmas toys. In response one of the militants was stabbed to death. Heavy clashes erupted between both groups with rebels burning stores of some merchants. At least 35 people died and 50 houses were burnt.[26][27] On 31 December UN announced arms free zone in PK5 neighborhood forcing local fighters to lay down their weapons. On 4 January 2020 police returned to PK5 district for the first time in six years.[28] On 15 January UN claimed to have dismantled all 13 bases of "ex-self-defense" forces.[29] On 3 March it was announced that tax collection will be resumed in PK5.[30] On 13 March SODECA announced that access to water will be restored in PK5.[31]

On 22 October 2020 government launched disarmament campaign in PK5 district. More than 400 militiamen and 200 civilians returned tens of automatic rifles, 104 bullets and three shells. Around 30 ex-militiamen registered for DDR process.[32] On 30 October members of "Mujahideen" self-defense group looted local house stealing more than 150 million CFA Francs.[33]

Self-defense groups
Group[17]FightersLeaderHeadquarters
Force ~80 Niméri Matar (2015–9)
Mahamat Rahamat "LT"(2019–)[34]		 ?
You ? Youssouf Ayatoulah Adjaraye Bulata
Apo ~30 Mohamed Tahir (until 2018)[35] Koudoukou Crossroads
50/50 ~50 Issa Kappy (until 2016)
Djido		 Cameroonian district
Moussa Kana ~25 Abdoul Danda (until 2016) Yakite Bridge

References
  1. "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 Council". Security Council. 14 December 2019.
  2. Pope Francis visits besieged mosque in Central African Republic
  3. "Siege on Capital's Muslims". Human Rights Watch. 28 March 2014.
  4. "Escalating bloodshed and reported revenge killings in Central African Republic". Amnesty International. 5 December 2013.
  5. Dukhan, Nathalia (August 2017). "Splintered warfare" (PDF). Enough Project.
  6. "Haroun Gaye". UN. 17 December 2015.
  7. "Tension dans le 3e arrondissement, au moins trois morts". RadioNdekeLuka. 16 October 2015.
  8. "Central African Republic: New Wave of Killings". Human Rights Watch. 26 November 2015.
  9. "Return to school in Central African Republic". Finn Church Aid. 2 February 2016.
  10. "Religious Freedom Report 2018: Central African Republic" (PDF). Aid to the Church in Need.
  11. "Volatile situation in CAR from 11 June 2016". UNHCR. 22 June 2016.
  12. "Letter dated 5 December 2016 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to Security Council resolution 2262 (2016) addressed to the President of the Security Council" (PDF). Security Council. 5 December 2016.
  13. "CENTRAFRIQUE / Le Commandant des FACA Mombéka Marcel et son aide camp, assassiné à Bangui". 4 October 2016.
  14. "Des heurts meurtriers à Bangui". BBC. 31 October 2016.
  15. "Militia chief among 5 killed in C.Africa clash". 8 February 2017.
  16. "In Central Africa, traders face off with militia over extortion demands". TimesLIVE. 1 February 2018.
  17. "Letter dated 23 July 2018 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to resolution 2399 (2018) addressed to the President of the Security Council" (PDF). Security Council. 23 July 2018. p. 72.
  18. "Escalation of Violence in Bangui: Has MINUSCA Become Party to a Conflict in CAR, and What Would That Mean?". 16 April 2018.
  19. "Le regain de violences à Bangui fait au moins 18 morts, dont un casque bleu". Le Monde. 11 April 2018.
  20. "Centrafrique : reprise de combat au PK5, les Anti-balaka, appuyés par les FORCES DE DÉFENSE ET DE SÉCURITÉ tentent d'envahir le secteur à nouveau". 6 May 2018.
  21. "RCA: le retour des taxis au PK5 à Bangui". RFI. 20 May 2018.
  22. "Letter dated 14 December 2018 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic established pursuant to resolution 2399 (2018) addressed to the President of the Security Council" (PDF). Security Council. 14 December 2018.
  23. "Flash info : tirs d'armes au KM5". 3 June 2019.
  24. "CENTRAFRIQUE: QUATRE MORTS DANS DES AFFRONTEMENTS AU QUARTIER PK5 DE BANGUI". 12 July 2019.
  25. "2 morts dans un combat entre les miliciens d'autodéfense rivaux au PK5". 29 November 2019.
  26. "Clashes kill about 40 people in Central African Republic capital: local sources". Xinhua. 27 December 2019.
  27. "Central African Republic traders in deadly battle over militia taxes in Bangui". BBC. 27 December 2019.
  28. "Police return to deadly area in C.A.R. capital - first time in six years". 4 April 2020.
  29. "Central African Republic: UN Peacekeepers Protecting Hundreds Displaced By Central African Republic Fighting". AllAfrica. 15 January 2020.
  30. "RCA : retour des services des impôts au PK5". JournalDeBangui.com. 25 March 2020.
  31. Sango, Ndjoni (16 March 2020). "RCA: les habitants de PK5 sensibilisés sur le branchement d'eau par la SODECA".
  32. "RCA : poursuite du désarmement volontaire dans le troisième arrondissement de Bangui". 23 October 2020.
  33. "RCA : violent braquage de la milice Moudjahidine à la résidence de la famille Aoudou Garba au KM5". 30 October 2020.
  34. Sango, Ndjoni (15 July 2019). "RCA: le nouvel homme fort du PK5, Mahamat Rahamat alias " LT ", successeur de " Force "".
  35. "Centrafrique : un chef de milice de Bangui tué par un commerçant". 25 November 2018.
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