On 6 October 2021, 34 civilians were murdered in an attack on Matchika village in the

Central African Republic The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to Central African Republic–Chad border, the north, Sudan to Central African Republic–Sudan border, the northeast, South Sudan to Central ...

Attack

On 5 October 2021 around 12:00 an 18-wheeler truck carrying passengers and goodsBambari : au moins une trentaine de civils tués dans l’attaque d’un camion de transport en commun par des éléments présumés de l’UPC
6 October 2021 left the city of

Bambari Bambari is a town in the Central African Republic, lying on the Ouaka River. It has a population of 41,356 (2003 census) and is the capital of Ouaka prefecture. Bambari is an important market town and home to Bambari Airport, and the Roma ...

for Alindao. At 13:00 the truck was stopped by a group of armed men. They forced the passengers to get out of the vehicle and undress. They stripped them of all their belongings. They set fire to vehicle and two motorcycles. Then they opened fire on the disembarked passengers, killing many including men, women and children. After withdrawing, the armed men killed three motorcycle drivers before disappearing.Centrafrique : Au moins 15 morts dans un guet-apens des hommes armés proche de Bambari
5 October 2021 In a video shared on social media one of attackers was shouting " Allah Akbar" reportedly imitating Arabic language. Gunfire from one side was also heard. By 7 October 2021 the number of fatalities had risen to 34.

Responsibility

Initially rebels from

Union for Peace in the Central African Republic Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC, ) is a rebel group in the Central African Republic which controls southern parts of the country. History UPC was formed on 17 September 2014 by Ali Darassa from the ex-Séléka elements. ...

led by Ali Darassa were blamed for the massacre. According to RJDH-RCA

Anti-balaka The Anti-balaka (''anti-machete'') is an alliance of militia groups based in the Central African Republic in the early 21st century said by ''the Guardian'' to be composed primarily of Christians, but also some Muslims. However, some church leade ...

fighters allied with UPC also participated in the attack. On 10 October UPC officially denied responsibility for the massacre. On 15 October CorbeauNews identified General Kiri as responsible for the massacre. He belongs to UPC splinter faction led by Hassan Bouba.Massacre de Matchika : une nouvelle révélation, Hassan Bouba et son bras droit Kiri pointés du doigt
18 October 2021

External links

Alleged video from the massacre
(''originally posted by CorbeauNews, archived by Internet Archive'')

References

{{Reflist Massacres of the Central African Republic Civil War October 2021 crimes in Africa 2021 in the Central African Republic Filmed killings 2021 road incidents in Africa Massacres in 2021 Bus incidents in Africa 2021 mass shootings in Africa Deaths by firearm in the Central African Republic Ouaka