Escalating violence in Haut-Mbomou as foreign fighters and LRA collaborate

The southeastern region of Central African Republic, particularly Haut-Mbomou, is witnessing a disturbing surge in coordinated attacks targeting the Azandé community. Reports indicate that local criminal elements linked to the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) are being systematically deployed alongside foreign mercenaries, allegedly under the direction of government-aligned forces, to undermine resistance efforts by the Azandé people.

Foreign fighters and government-backed forces accused of weaponizing LRA remnants

According to local observers, the collaboration between Russian mercenaries and LRA-affiliated groups has intensified in recent weeks. These alliances are reportedly being used to carry out targeted assaults on civilian populations, with the apparent goal of destabilizing Azandé resistance movements. The deployment of LRA elements—long known for their brutal tactics—has raised concerns about the escalation of violence in a region already plagued by instability.

Witness accounts describe coordinated raids on villages, where homes are looted, livestock is seized, and civilians are subjected to intimidation and violence. The involvement of foreign fighters has drawn international attention, with many questioning the motives behind their presence and the government’s role in facilitating these operations.

Azandé resistance faces unprecedented challenges

The Azandé community, historically resilient in the face of adversity, is now confronting a multifaceted threat. Local leaders report that their efforts to organize and defend their people are being systematically undermined by the combined forces of foreign mercenaries and LRA-linked criminals. The situation has left many communities in a state of fear, with families forced to flee their homes to avoid the escalating violence.

Eyewitnesses in Zemio and surrounding areas describe a climate of terror, where armed groups operate with near impunity. The pillaging of local markets and the abduction of civilians—particularly women and young girls—have become alarmingly frequent. These acts are not only destabilizing the region but also eroding the trust between communities and local authorities.

Calls for urgent intervention and accountability

As the violence in Haut-Mbomou continues to spiral out of control, voices within the Central African Republic and beyond are demanding immediate action. Civil society groups and human rights advocates are urging the government to disavow any association with foreign mercenaries and to take decisive steps to dismantle the networks enabling these attacks. Failure to act, they warn, could lead to a full-blown humanitarian crisis in the region.

The international community is also being called upon to intervene, with many questioning the role of external actors in fueling the conflict. The deployment of foreign fighters, coupled with the resurgence of LRA-linked violence, has raised serious concerns about the long-term stability of Central African Republic and the safety of its most vulnerable populations.