Union for Peace in the Central African Republic
Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC, French: Unité pour la paix en Centrafrique) is a rebel group in the Central African Republic which controls southern parts of the country.
| Union for Peace in the Central African Republic | |
|---|---|
| Unité pour la paix en Centrafrique | |
 UPC fighters in Alindao, 2019 | |
| Leaders | Ali Darassa |
| Dates of operation | 2014– |
| Split from | Séléka |
| Headquarters | Bambari (2014–17) Alindao (2017–2020) Bokolobo (2020–2021) Boyo (2021–)[1] |
| Active regions | Southern part of Central African Republic |
| Part of | Coalition of Patriots for Change (2020-)[2] |
| Opponents |  FACA Wagner Group (since 2020) MINUSCA (sometimes)Anti-balaka (until 2020)  FPRC (sometimes) |
| Battles and wars | Central African Republic Civil War |
History
editUPC was formed on 17 September 2014 by Ali Darassa from the ex-Séléka elements. Their initial headquarters was Bambari, however they were forced to retreat on 6 March 2017.[3] On 10 January 2019, they launched a heavy attack on MINUSCA forces in Bambari vowing to recapture the city. They were repelled and in response Portuguese paratroopers raided their base in Bokolobo, seizing some weapons and destroying some checkpoints.[4] On 17 December 2020, the UPC joined the Coalition of Patriots for Change.[5]
War crimes
editOn 29 January 2019, 18 people were killed and 23 wounded when UPC fighters opened fire during a funeral ceremony in Ippy.[6] Between 2016 and 2020 UPC killed more than 1300 people.[7] On 6 October 2021, 34 civilians were killed by alleged UPC rebels in Matchika massacre.
Organization
editUPC used to profit from gold and diamond mines in areas it controlled including the Ndassima mine, whose control they share with the FPRC.[8] They also profited from controlling cattle markets in Mobaye and Kouango.[9]
References
edit- ^ RCA : le chef rebelle Ali Darassa, chef d’État major de la coalition des patriotes pour le changement (CPC), est arrivé à Nzako, 29 March 2021
- ^ Centrafrique : la rébellion de la CPC en ordre de bataille, 12 December 2021
- ^ "Tensions running high in CAR's Bambari as rebels vow to take control". 6 March 2017. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022.
- ^ "Watch: Portuguese paratroopers raid rebel base in Central African Republic". 18 January 2019. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023.
- ^ Centrafrique : Déclaration de la Coalition des Patriotes pour le Changement, 18 December 2020
- ^ "UN says 18 killed in Central African Republic attack". 29 January 2019. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023.
- ^ RCA : + de 1300 morts officiellement décomptées impliquant l’UPC de Darassa entre 2016 et 2020, 12 April 2021
- ^ "Midterm report of the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to Security Council resolution 2399" (PDF). 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 3, 2023.
- ^ "Letter dated 14 December 2018 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic established pursuant to resolution 2399 (2018) addressed to the President of the Security Council". 14 December 2018. p. 121. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023.