Sexual assaults rise in Central African Republic. Wagner, bandits and even peacekeepers are blamed
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — It was too late for the mother to shield her children when the two masked and armed Russian fighters burst into her home, held her at gunpoint and took turns raping her. Her five children were forced to watch in the dark.
Seated in a restaurant in Central African Republic’s capital, where she has since fled, she wiped away tears. Two years on, the assault has “stayed with me in my core,” she said. The Associated Press does not identify survivors of sexual assault.
She blamed the Russians who are part of the Wagner mercenary group that operates alongside Central African Republic’s army and has been accused by locals and rights groups of abuses. She had seen them patrolling in her town of Bambari before. On the day of the assault, they were fighting rebels there.
Gender-based violence is rising in Central African Republic amid ongoing conflict, weak legal and care systems and the stigma of speaking up, locals and aid groups say.
Related articles
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has added a stop in Luxembourg to a trip to Belgium in September, a three-d2024-05-21Direct flight links China's Fuzhou with Seoul in ROK
(Xinhua) 16:10, February 01, 2024FUZHOU, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Flight MF877, operated by China's Xiamen2024-05-21Direct flight links China's Fuzhou with Seoul in ROK
(Xinhua) 16:10, February 01, 2024FUZHOU, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Flight MF877, operated by China's Xiamen2024-05-21Innovative farming fuels efficiency for 'new farmers' in E China's Jiangxi
(People's Daily Online) 13:10, April 11, 2024Innovative farm facilities are making farm work more ef2024-05-21Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. will drive the pace car for the 108th ru2024-05-21Specialty agricultural products drive rural development
(People's Daily Online) 14:00, March 15, 2024Specialty agricultural products from various regions in2024-05-21
atest comment