Bangui, 20 April, 2025 / 10:46 pm (ACI Africa).
The Archbishop of Bangui Archdiocese in the Central African Republic (CAR) has condemned acts of brutality reportedly committed by members of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) against civilians and called for justice for victims and accountability.
In a statement issued April 16, Dieudonné Cardinal Nzapalainga weighs in on images circulated on social media on April 8 showing FACA soldiers whipping a group of people in the northern part of CAR’s capital city, Bangui.
“It is with deep concern that we have watched images showing certain elements of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) inflicting degrading and humiliating physical and moral abuse on fellow civilian citizens,” Cardinal Nzapalainga says.
He adds, “These abuses, committed by those who are supposed to protect the Central African people, cast shame upon our army – an army that, it must be acknowledged, includes brave and dedicated soldiers who risk their lives to secure our national territory and maintain peace.”
“These acts of violence, reminiscent of a forgotten era, can only provoke indignation and dismay in the country,” the Cardinal laments.
