Rwanda Mechanized Infantry Battalion (RwaMechBatt1) Forces serving in the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) halted on 23 February an attempt by leaders of the Central African Republic’s militias to break out of Ngaragba prison, 7th arrondissement in Bangui. The prison accommodates some leaders of the Anti-balaka and Ex-seleka militias.
“The riots started around midday Sunday, prisoners tried in vain to open the last metal door but our Forces successfully contained the riots after warning shots”, testified one of the Rwandan peacekeepers on ground.
The jailbreak was stopped “thanks to the vigilance of the Rwandan unit” in the African MISCA force, said a statement by the African Union peacekeepers.
The group that attempted the jailbreak was arrested in a mop-up operation carried out by the peacekeepers on February 15 in Bangui and investigations are underway to trace the perpetrators of the Ngaragba jailbreak attempt.
Meanwhile the Director of Ngaragba prison, Commandant Ibrahim Yabanga has been replaced by CAR authorities according to the same sources.
MoD
UM– USEKE.RW
