Central African Republic: open judicial inquiry into the Ndélé massacres

Text by: RFI Follow

What has happened in recent weeks in Ndélé, in the north of the Central African Republic? Violence broke out several times in March and April, leaving some 40 people dead. A judicial fact-finding mission recently visited the site.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Bangui, Charlotte Cosset

It is a joint mission led by officers of the judicial police, the attorney general and the United Nations police who visited the town of Ndélé . She looked into the attacks on March 6 and 11 and April 29.

“  The investigation team moved to the various crime scenes, notably at the central market of Ndélé where we found, with the technical and scientific police team, the 19 shops that were burnt down, including four depots fuel , explains Éric Didier Tambo, the attorney general. We also made a trip to the Muslim cemetery in the city of Ndélé where we found the false commune where 26 people were buried, all of whom are civilians, including a woman and her baby.  "

"  We suspect the belligerents of crimes against humanity  "

In all, at least 40 people, including a member of the United Nations, were killed in Ndélé during these three attacks. An investigation has been officially opened, announces the Attorney General: “  Already on the instruction of the Minister, as of our departure the investigation was opened. We suspect the belligerents of crimes against humanity, since they are mass crimes and these crimes are directed against the civilian population. And also war crimes.  "

The investigation report will soon be sent to the Minister of Justice. Then, the file will either be kept by the national justice, or entrusted to the new special criminal court.

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Central africa
• Justice