Gaga, Central African Republic

Gaga is a village located in the Central African Republic prefecture of Ombella-M'Poko. Artisanal gold mining is active in the commune.

Gaga
Gaga is located in Central African Republic
Gaga
Gaga
Location in Central African Republic
Coordinates: 5°29′30″N 16°58′42″E
CountryCentral African Republic
PrefectureOmbella-M'Poko
Sub-prefectureYaloke
CommuneGuézéli
Population
 (2015)
 • Total8,000[1]

History

On 7 October 2013 Seleka fighters raided Gaga and began demanding money and shooting people who refused to pay. At least 17 people were killed and then their bodies thrown into wells. Many people fled the town.[1] On 9 October Anti-balaka attacked Gaga killing four rebels and then started attacking Muslim civilians killing around 60 people.[2] Six days later, on 13 October, Anti-balaka took control of Gaga.[1]

According to November 2019 report there were at least 16 artisanal gold mining sites in the Gaga commune. Chinese company was reportedly involved in some of these sites.[3]

On 30 August 2020 militias took control of Gaga after clashes with FACA soldiers. They ransacked buildings of Chinese companies operating in the area.[4] Soldiers returned to the town on 2 September.[5] On 15 December 2020 it was captured by Anti-balaka fighters.[6] 32 Chinese workers fled the mine and were rescued by Bangladeshi peacekeepers.[7] As of 25 February 2021 rebels were still present in the vicinity of Gaga.[8]

References
  1. WHEN WELLS BECAME GRAVES: CASUALTIES OF WAR AND WATER IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, 27 August 2015
  2. Around 60 dead in clashes in Central African Republic, 9 October 2013
  3. MAPPING ARTISANAL MINING SITES IN THE WESTERN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
  4. "RCA : débandade générale à Gaga, la situation devient incontrôlable, et un renfort des FACA est en route". 1 September 2020.
  5. "RCA : première nuit calme à Gaga, le ministre des Mines tente sur place de trouver un terrain d'entente avec les belligérants". 2 September 2020.
  6. "RCA : tension préélectorale, panique à Yaloké et à Bossembélé, les Anti-Balaka occupent Gaga". 16 December 2020.
  7. Bangladeshi peacekeepers rescue 32 Chinese workers in Central African Republic, 31 January 2021
  8. RCA : présence signalée des rebelles de la CPC dans les localités de Gaga, des scènes de braquage enregistrés, 25 February 2021


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