Rights Body Accuses Central Africa Rebels of 'Horrific Abuses'
Human Rights Watch on Friday urged the Central African Republic's new government to reign in its rebel forces, accusing them of "horrific abuses" such as pillage, summary executions, rape, and torture.
The rights watchdog said that after the Seleka rebel coalition seized power on March 24 in a bloody coup, its militants "went on a looting spree, killing civilians, raping women, and settling scores with members of the Central African Armed Forces."
Some 5,000 fighters took part in the battle for Bangui, the rights group said and many of the post-coup killings happened "in broad daylight."
The rebel coalition, which ousted President Francois Bozize after a peace deal fell apart, is made up of four rebel groups which have been operating in the northern part of the country since 2003.
The rights group had previously reported that in this region in 2007, Bozize's armed forces engaged in grave abuses such as summary executions, unlawful killings, house burnings, and using child soldiers.
"If the Seleka coalition, as it claims, wants to undo the wrongs of the previous government, it should immediately end its horrific abuses," said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch.
"The government should show it is committed to the rule of law by investigating and prosecuting attacks by Seleka troops against civilians."
The HRW report follows a 10-day investigation in Bangui in late April.
According to the group, the new transition government accused members of the ousted Bozize regime or "fake Seleka" of carrying out the abuses, and insisted it had control over its troops.
"But Human Rights Watch interviewed multiple witnesses who provided compelling evidence, including eyewitness accounts, that Seleka forces were responsible for the majority of abuses against civilians both immediately before and after the coup."
The group also documented many cases in which Seleka rebels killed their own members.
"The government has an obligation to control the rebels who brought it to power, to prevent abuses, and punish those who commit them," Bekele said.
The International Crisis Group said last week that Bangui "experienced bank robberies, killings, and systematic looting of private houses and ministries" with "at least 130 people reportedly killed by Seleka since the coup".
The country's economy has also been crippled by the unrest and new strongman Michel Djotodia has said state coffers are empty.
Source: Agence France Presse
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