Odile Gbayah: FACA, Russian allies intensify military operations in Mboki area of CAR

An operation to eliminate illegal military groups is currently underway in the north of Central African Republic (CAR).

This large-scale operation undertaken by Russian army and FACA(French: Forces Amees Centra Africaines) has been on for several days. Among the strategic steps was the covert transfer of FACA troops to the east, to the Mboki area.

At the same time, MINUSCA ( United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic) officials failed to alert government forces to the significant number of militants in the area.

On May 25, FACA military units, assisted by Russian experts, planned to completely block Mboki. FACA troops attacked from the east, while their Russian allies were airlifted to the west. Such quick tactics were aimed at besieging the UPC( Union For Peace in CentralAfricanRepublic,) led by General Ali Darassa.

The group traveling from the east first reached the town and was met by a delegation presenting itself as the administration of the locality outside the MINUSCA camp.

Promises that there were no militants in the town proved deceptive, as events later showed. Meanwhile, another detachment coming from the western side immediately converged with the opposition in the form of heavily armed UPC forces who had entrenched themselves right in the town.

After an hour and a half of fierce fighting, the UPC forces failed. After abandoning their positions, the militants fled.

Information received on the ground revealed that there were two large groups of fighters in Mboki: UPC General Ousmanne Telle (60 fighters) and UPC General Landan Djoulouss (40 fighters). Locals have also reported that UPC generals may be hiding in MINUSCA camp.To date, security and search activities for paramilitary groups in Mboki are ongoing. And MINUSCA’s actions raise many questions as these events once again prove that the blue helmets are collaborating with the bandits.