Sam Ouandja is a town located 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 ...

prefecture A prefecture (from the Latin word, "''praefectura"'') is an administrative jurisdiction traditionally governed by an appointed prefect. This can be a regional or local government subdivision in various countries, or a subdivision in certain inter ...

Haute-Kotto Haute-Kotto (, "Upper Kotto") is one of the 20 prefecture A prefecture (from the Latin word, "''praefectura"'') is an administrative jurisdiction traditionally governed by an appointed prefect. This can be a regional or local government subdiv ...

near the border with

Sudan Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in Northeast Africa. It borders the Central African Republic to the southwest, Chad to the west, Libya to the northwest, Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the east, Eritrea and Ethiopi ...

. It has historically served as important arms trafficking hub for armed groups in Central African Republic. Artisanal diamond mining is also active in the commune.Letter dated 27 January 2021 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to resolution 2536 (2020) addressed to the President of the Security Council
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History

Since 2006 Sam Ouandja has been under control of different rebel groups led by Damane Zakaria, including

Union of Democratic Forces for Unity Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (, UFDR) was a rebel group which fought against the government in the 2004-2007 civil war in that country, known as the Central African Republic Bush War. The Central African Republic has accused the governme ...

(UFDR),

Séléka Séléka CPSK-CPJP-UFDR was an alliance of rebel militia groups that subjugated the Central African Republic (CAR) on 24 March 2013. After its official dissolution in September 2013, the remaining rebel groups became known as Ex-Séléka. Sél� ...

and most recently ''Rassemblement patriotique pour le renouveau de la Centrafrique'' (RPRC). It was captured by UFDR on 13 November 2006. The town has been used by different groups for trafficking weapons from Sudan, including pistols, rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers and ammunition. In December 2012, along with

N'Délé N'Délé or Ndele is a market town and sub prefecture in the north eastern Central African Republic, lying east of the Bamingui-Bangoran National Park. Ndélé is the capital of Bamingui-Bangoran, one of the 16 prefectures of the Central African ...

and

Ouadda Ouadda is a town located in the Central African Republic prefecture of Haute-Kotto. History Around November 2006, UFDR captured Ouadda. On 1 December 2006, FACA recaptured the town after facing a fierce battle with UFDR. On 10 December 20 ...

, Seleka captured Sam Ouandja. On 18 August 2022, rebels withdrew from Sam Ouandja following arrival of MINUSCA peacekeepers. PRNC attacked Sam Ouandja on 4 July 2023. Six people were killed, including the gendarmerie brigade commander, two gendarmerie personnel, two teenagers, and one rebel.

Healthcare

Sam Ouandja has one health center.

References

Populated places in Haute-Kotto {{CentralAfricanRepublic-geo-stub