3R Rebels Say Not Responsible For Kaita Killings, Blame Russian Mercenaries

The Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R) movement affiliated to the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) in the Central African Republic says it was not behind the massacre on Nov. 14, 2021, of civilians in Kaita village, during which one 3R rebel was killed and one other wounded.

The rebel movement on Thursday, Dec. 2,  issued a statement blaming the Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Security Group for the massacre of the 12 civilians during the attack.

“Following the attack perpetrated by Russian mercenaries in the Central African Republic, precisely on the village of Kaita in the Ouham Pende prefecture, the 3R movement declares that this attack is of a nature to compromise the goodwill of the 3R movement,” the 3R statement read in part.

The movement said it has “nothing to do with this Machiavelic campaign orchestrated at all levels by Russian mercenaries who have not ceased to shed the blood of Central African Republic citizens in order to satisfy President Touadera.”

“The chief of staff of the 3R movement and all the officers, sub officers and the rank and file condemn with the last energy these  assassinations and present all their condolences to the bereaved families and to all the population of the Ouham Pende prefecture in general and Kaita in particular.”

“The murder of the population of the Central African Republic by Russian mercenaries has taken place in several zones. The Unite pour la Paix en Centrafrique (UPC) of Army General Ali Darassa Mahamat has denounced these crimes in a communique dated November 29, 2021. This communique proves the withdrawal of the UPC from the famous APPR-RCA and the engagement of the said movement in the Kamba-Kotta accord.”

It maintained that it did not want to again cite the same stories of the crimes of the Wagner Group.

“First of all, these crimes by Russian mercenaries in CAR are known, documented and condemned on several occasions by the media, international experts, courageous journalists and the victims themselves,” the 3R  said in its statement.

 “The 3R movement is sure and certain that all NGOs, all businesses, businessmen, breeders and farmers operating in the northwest zone of the Central African Republic know that if the attack against the population of Kaita is attributed to the 3R movement nobody would accept it because everybody knows that the 3R movement has as its principal goal, the security of persons and goods.”

“The statement of the sub prefect of Bocaranga, Esaie Gbanin, is a false declaration which accuses the 3R movement. It is unfounded and without material. He made the statement just to ensure his continued service in the sub prefecture. 

“Fortunately, everybody already knows the real face of President Touadera. Since the day he put his signature on the accord which links him personally with Russian mercenaries of Wagner Group, he has only been executing the orders of the Russians.”

“The 3R movement solemnly calls on national and international opinion to take note in order to save the Central African Republic because its president does not reflect, nor react as a president of an independent and free republic. It can be said he is tele-commanded.”

The statement accused President Touadera of collaborating with criminals no matter how much blood of Central African Republic citizens is shed, adding that as long as his position as head of state is protected and the needs of Wagner Group are accomplished, he does not care whatever happens to his own people.

According to the 3R movement, what really happened in Kaita was that: “Russian mercenaries profited from the declaration of a ceasefire by President Touadera to deceive the armed groups. They attacked many of our bases and posts. Recently, elements of the 3R movement have been very vigilant and waiting for them patiently.”

“On November 29, 2021, these mercenaries dared to enter into the thick forest to destroy the bases of the 3R movement.” 

“They were not expecting the surprise reserved for them by elements of the 3R movement. We pushed them right to their last position. To avenge the 3R movement, they took on the population of Kaita.”

“Russian mercenaries kill the civilian populations of the Central African Republic without exception. According to analyses by leaders of armed groups, the Russians want at all cost to bring about inter-communal war in the Central African Republic. Fortunately, with the creation of the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), no community would fall in their trap.”