REPUBLIC OF CENTRAL AFRICA, BOWS FACING KALACHNIKOV.
Par teddy, dans ENGLISH -# 43 - Fil RSS
In the North of the Centrafrican Republic, the Zaraguinas, a group of road blockers, have been frightening local populations for more than 15 years. They specifically target Fulani farmers, who have been living in Central Africa for about a century. As cattle owners, the Fulanis are often considered wealthy and Zaraguinas attack them to steal their beasts or abduct their children. The ransoms they ask can reach millions of CFA Francs (1 million CFA Francs is worth 1,500€). Fulanis then have to sell their cattle in order to gather the money, thus losing their only source of income. As the Centrafrican armed forces (FACA, forces armées centrafricaines) are unable to help against the Zaraguinas in the bush, the Fulanis had to react quickly and to get organised to fight back with their own means. The mayors of the breeding communities created self-defense groups, armed with arcs and poisonous arrows to protect their cattle and intervene in place of the official authorities, against the road blockers, to avoid more kidnappings. Each territory currently runs a group of bowmen to secure the pastures. All of them wear amulets, as a protection against the bullets of the automatic weapons used by the Zaraguinas. Hence protected, their determination and boldness often routs the Zaraguinas. The road-blockers appeared in the 1990s in Centrafrican Republic. Lately, this movement has been encouraged by the political instability and lack of control of the authorities on a whole chunk of territory. Zaraguinas often come from rebel groups from Tchad. Some are ex-liberators, who helped the curent Centrafrican President François Bozizé during the putsch of the15th March 2003. As the new head of the State is quite reluctant to keep his promises, his former men decided to help themselves, thus sinking into organised crime. The bowmen are still not recognised by the Centrafrican State, they have no status nor social protection. They can only rely on the generosity of other cattle breeders and of the mayors to fund their mission of security.
Despite the fact that situation is more quiet last months, every night, Yelowa archers continue to take care of security of their vilage.
Archers are still not recognised by the Centrafrican State, they have no status nor social protection. But in some of state, prefect give some « official » archers card to help them during their travel.
4 Fulani generals meet for a summit council. They are the leaders of the companies of Fulani archers. Left side to right side, Adamou Zamozi , Abdoulaye Ousmane, Adamou Noumoui and sergeant Mamouni Laolo.
In Bangui suburban, Centrafrican capital, each cattle herd who live the town being escortered by archers.
Fulanis pass a big party of the year in bush to let their cattles graze. Isolated, they are an easy preys for Zaraguinas. bowmen presence in area are a real peacefulness for them.
Fulanis high authority of Malloum area.
Every Fulani family had to undergo the violence of Zaraguinas. The former boss of Ndassima archers, is dead in 2004 during a fight for the liberalization of 9 children hostage.
Youssoufa Bi Djado, leader of Bokolbo archers self-defense groups.
Fulanis camp.
cattle market of Bangui, "PK13" district.
Bouar, since many years, Fulanis use bowmen to protect their cattle herd. during the moving of live-stock to different pastures according to the season, every transports come with two or three archers.
Sacor Yoga was chief of the village. In 2004, Zaraguinas attacked and killed two peoples. Since, villagers fleed one's village to an other one.
Before every departure in mission, the bowmen group together themselves for a collective prayer.
fight exercise between Malloum and Ndassima self-defense groups.
Bokolbo archers self-defense groups.
Youssoufa Bi Djado, leader of Bokolbo archers self-defense groups during fight exercise.
Adamou Zamozi "General founder" archers self-defense groups. Fine warrior he is renowned in all centrafrica as the best Zaraguinas killer.
Ardo Abdou, leader of Ndassima archers self-defense groups. / During a fight in 2004, bowmen carry the head of a zaraguina in order to prove their effectiveness to local authorities.
In Ndassima, the corporation Aurafrique decided to use bowmen for protect their industrial sites and their trucks
Bouar archers self-defense groups..
Fulanis camp.
Manufacture of a new bow.
mid day prayer. Fulanis are all Muslims and believe in the help that Allah can do for them in the fight.
Général Adamou Noumoui and his sergeant, Mamouni Laolo. Kella. / In Bangui suburban, Centrafrican capital, each cattle herd who live the town being escortered by archers.
Yeloa village.
Adamou was shot by Zaraguinas during fighting to save Fulanis children.
In bouar, first town of Nana Mambéré area, it is possible to cross some archer in the street. In this region, archers self-defense groups are very respected by local population.
Niem archers self-defense groups.
Commentaires
Aucun commentaire pour le moment.
Ajouter un commentaire
Les commentaires pour ce billet sont fermés.