Landmine Explosion Kills 1 Person, Injures Others In Bocaranga, Central Africa Republic

The driver of a vehicle was killed and several passengers wounded on Thursday, Sept. 9, when the vehicle in which they were travelling hit a landmine in the locality of Bocaranga situated in Ouham-Pende prefecture, Central African Republic. 

According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle which exploded after hitting a landmine was from the town of Paoua in Lim-Pende and was on its way to Bocaranga.

“On arrival at Bokomboussi village within the Loura council, about 80 kilometres from Bocaranga, the truck unfortunately hit a landmine which exploded killing the driver and seriously wounding several passengers who were onboard it,” said Martin Ziguele, parliamentarian for the Bocaranga 3 constituency who extended his message of compassion to the families of the dead and wounded.

“All the wounded passengers were transported to the Paoua hospital where they are currently receiving appropriate treatment.”

Last July in the same Loura council, an attack by rebels of the Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R) movement who are members of the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) resulted in the death and wounding of several persons. 

Thirteen motorbikes were also burnt in the attack. Last month, two landmine explosions caused the deaths of four persons in the same council area.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has suspended its demining activities in the Nana-Mambere prefecture until further notice.

A MINUSCA official said they were suspending their activities because they were being stopped from continuing with the demining by the Central African Republic national army, FACA and their Russian mercenary allies, a development which the UN agency regrets.

Meanwhile, MINUSCA just recently organised a meeting in Bouar, Nana-Mambere prefecture bringing together quarter heads, during which it sensitized the participants on the dangers of landmines.