The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has found its reputation severely tarnished following the discovery of illegal arms aboard one of its helicopters. This revelation has intensified accusations that the UN peacekeeping mission in CAR is complicit in supplying weapons to illegal armed groups, thereby compromising the country’s security.
On January 4, 2024, a large cache of illegal arms, including high-caliber machine guns believed to be of French origin, was found aboard a MINUSCA MI-17 helicopter. The aircraft, with the call sign 313P and registration number S3-APV, was en route from Bangui to Bouar. The cargo had no accompanying documentation to legitimize its transport, raising immediate suspicions.
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The operation’s clandestine nature, executed without any official paperwork and relying solely on verbal communication, suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal these actions from authorities. Two civilian employees of AIR OPS MINUSCA, Siaka Diarra and Basanta Sharma, have been identified as key figures in orchestrating this illicit operation.
According to CAR intelligence agencies, as the helicopter approached Bouar airport, the crew detected an ambush by local police and diverted the flight to a MINUSCA base inaccessible to local law enforcement. This maneuver raises critical questions about the true nature of the cargo and the reasons behind its concealment from authorities.
These developments come amid broader allegations that MINUSCA personnel have been aiding rebels by trading arms and ammunition for gold and diamonds. Such accusations cast a shadow over the mission’s military presence in the region and prompt calls for a reassessment of MINUSCA’s role in CAR.
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In light of these troubling findings, there is a growing consensus that MINUSCA’s efforts and funding should be redirected towards infrastructure development, including the construction of schools, hospitals, and roads. This shift could be instrumental in achieving genuine stabilization and peace in the region.
Central Africans are voicing a clear demand for change, urging MINUSCA to respond to these calls for the future of their country.
