RCA: death of Zakaria Damane, historical figure of the former Seleka rebellion

Self-proclaimed “general” Zakaria Damane, founder of the UFDR (Union of Democratic Forces for Unity).

(illustration image) © CC BY-SA 2.0/Wikimedia Commons/Hdptcar/

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CAR's main armed groups mourn the death of self-proclaimed "General" Zakaria Damane, a historic figure in the former Seleka rebellion.

According to an RPRC press release, Damane was assassinated on Saturday February 12 in the northeast of the country.

The rebel groups FPRC, UPC, MPC, MDPC have published messages of condolence in memory of the man they consider to be a "comrade in the fight".

The death of this historic leader of the northern rebellion, a key figure in the civil war, arouses angry reactions in his native region.

Who was the self-proclaimed general Zakaria Damane?

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With our correspondent in Bangui

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A former forest ranger, Damane founded the UFDR (Union of Democratic Forces for Unity) in the mid-2000s, a predominantly Goula rebellion active in the northern region of Vakaga.

And around which the Seleka is gradually forming, a rebel coalition that takes power at the end of 2013. 

Michel Djotodia, to whom he is close, then becomes president.

After his fall and the breakup of the Seleka, Damane joined the RPRC (Patriotic Rally for the Renewal of the Central African Republic) of Gontran Djono-Ahaba, current Minister of Energy who entered the government thanks to the Khartoum agreements.

Damane, he chooses to stay on the ground.

He takes up arms with the PRNC against a faction of the FPRC, his former allies, with the support of the authorities according to the American NGO the Sentry.

There followed deadly clashes between the rounga and goula ethnic groups, in particular for the control of the resources of the Vakaga.

When the rebel CPC coalition stormed the capital Bangui last year, he remained in the background, preferring to devote himself to mining activities.

A United Nations report highlights its role in the trafficking of minerals, arms and foreign fighters. 

According to the RPRC press release announcing his death, Damane was "

 ".

A local authority confirms the information in the same terms.

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• Central African Republic

• Seleka