General Florent Kema, Chief of Staff of the Coalition of Social Movements for Peace and Reconciliation (CMSPR), has issued a warning regarding a potential ethnic war in the Ouham prefecture, Central African Republic. In a voice message released on Saturday, March 14, 2026, he accuses President Touadéra and Wagner mercenaries of orchestrating targeted attacks against the Gbaya people, particularly around the town of Bossangoa.
According to General Kema, these attacks are characterized by acts of torture, murder, and the burning of entire villages. He expressed his deep concern about this escalation of violence and called on the international community not to turn a blind eye to the situation.
According to information relayed by General Kema, a series of attacks were carried out as early as March 4, 2026, against several villages, including Baudili, Baudé, Boro, and Boala. He claims that the assailants were former rebels from Ali Darassa's UPC (Unity for Peace in Central Africa) and Mahamat Al-Khatim's MPC (Patriotic Movement for Central Africa), acting under the mandate of the government and Wagner forces. These attacks reportedly caused the deaths of four people, injured eight, led to the burning of numerous homes, and forced people to flee.
On March 11, 2026, the violence reportedly intensified. After clashes, Wagner elements allegedly entered the village of Bowei, where they captured, tortured, and mutilated fifteen young people. An old man was allegedly killed, a hospital ransacked, and women injured.
General Kema denounces a plan to extend the violence to all Gbaya villages in Ouham. He accuses President Touadéra of refusing an inclusive dialogue, which the CMSPR has been calling for since February 2026, and which had suspended its military operations as a sign of good faith.
Faced with this alarming situation, the Chief of Staff of the CMSPR launched an urgent appeal to all Central Africans, urging them to reject the logic of ethnic war and not to attack Muslim civilians. He calls on them to unite to demand peace and an end to violence.
The Wagner group has been present in Central African Republic since 2018, where it provides security for President Touadéra. In return, it reportedly benefits from lucrative mining concessions. Wagner elements have been accused of human rights violations and abuses against civilian populations. The situation in Ouham highlights the persistent tensions and the risk of ethnic divisions in the country.
