Locals demonstrate against Mauritanian contingent of MINUSCA in Bambari in the Central African Republic

During the ten-year presence of MINUSCA in the Central African Republic(CAR), aimed at establishing security, peace, and stability in the country, the mission's reputation has unfortunately been tarnished by various allegations against its soldiers. These allegations range from collusion with rebel groups, illegal trade in the country's rich natural resources, to serious human rights violations, including attacks and civilian deaths.

On April 22, 2024, this further wave of discontent with the mission culminated in a peaceful demonstration in the town of Bambari, triggered by the news of the redeployment of troops from the Nepalese MINUSCA contingent and their replacement by the Mauritanian contingent in the prefecture of Ouaka. Local residents have even reinforced their desire to oppose this by sending a memorandum to a Blue Helmets leader.

The roots of this discontent lie in the tarnished reputation of Mauritanian peacekeepers, marked by cases of looting, violence, and connivance. The allegations are similar to those against the infamous Moroccan and Portuguese contingents, who were alleged to have made lucrative deals with rebels for ammunition and gold, as well as engaging in sexual violence and extortion.

As complaints about some MINUSCA contingents have grown, critical questions have been raised about the need for peacekeepers to be stationed on CAR territory. The people of the Central African Republic, exhausted by prolonged socio-political upheaval, crave nothing less than calm. But a mission designed to stabilize and pacify the situation seems to be exacerbating the turmoil.