Libreville, Gabon | AFP | The UN must conduct a “thorough investigation” into its peacekeepers’ actions in Central African Republic during a militia attack in which “up to 100 civilians were shot and burnt alive”, Amnesty International said Friday. In a new report, the London-based watchdog said troops in the …
Read More »C.Africa football boss held in France on war crimes charges
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | France on Wednesday arrested a member of Africa’s top footballing body on war crimes charges in the Central African Republic, the International Criminal Court said. Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, a former minister, is accused of being a top coordinator of armed groups in the conflict-hit country, …
Read More »The battle to save Central African Republic’s starving children
Bangui, Central African Republic | AFP | The line of parents waiting to see doctors stretches back outside the hospital into the dusty courtyard. Mums and dads carrying weak, starving children. Many hanging limply in their arms like half empty sacks of rice. The scene at the paediatric complex in …
Read More »Four killed in fresh clashes in C.African capital
Bangui, Central African Republic | AFP | At least four people have been killed in fighting between the army and militias in the capital of Central African Republic, sources said on Friday. The clashes erupted in Bangui’s mainly Muslim PK5 district — an area that has become a flashpoint in …
Read More »C.Africa war crimes suspect ‘Rambo’ was tortured: lawyer
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | A former militia leader from the Central African Republic known as “Colonel Rambo” was tortured in detention before his transfer to The Hague on war crimes charges, his lawyer said Friday. The arrest of Alfred Yekatom, who made his first appearance at the International …
Read More »C. Africa’s forest rangers in rebels’ line of fire
Bamingui, Central African Republic | AFP | The forest rangers of Central Africa’s Bamingui Bangoran park cannot focus only on saving the region’s dwindling wildlife: they have themselves to protect too. Often armed with little more than Kalashnikov assault rifles, these men must contend with rebel groups who can be …
Read More »C.Africa ex-militia leader ‘Rambo’ to face ICC judges
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | A former Central African militia leader Alfred Yekatom, also known as “Colonel Rambo” will face international war crimes judges for the first time Friday, the International Criminal Court said. “The initial appearance of Alfred Yekatom… is scheduled for Friday, November 23, at 11 am …
Read More »Pope prays for victims of Central Africa massacre
Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis on Sunday prayed for peace in the war-ravaged Central African Republic, where two priests were killed in ethnic unrest last week. “I learned with sadness the news of the massacre two days ago in a camp for the displaced in the …
Read More »Ex-C.Africa militia leader ‘Rambo’ arrives at ICC detention centre
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | A former Central African Republic militia leader nicknamed “Colonel Rambo” arrived on Saturday in The Hague, where he will stand trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. Currently a lawmaker, Alfred Yekatom’s extradition was the first of its …
Read More »Russia warns France over C. Africa peace role
United Nations, United States | AFP | Russia warned France on Thursday that it must put aside “parochial national interests” and recognize its peace efforts in the Central African Republic as negotiations continued on a contentious UN Security Council resolution. France has presented a draft resolution that takes aim at …
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