Overview
- The Central African Republic’s Defence Ministry said a French MSF employee was arrested near Zémio on suspicion of activities intended to destabilize security in Haut-Mbomou.
- MSF later reported that a second staff member, a Central African national, was also detained in Zémio and that both detainees have been transferred to Bangui and remain under guard.
- Authorities allege illegal entry from the Democratic Republic of Congo, contacts with criminal elements, and subversive agitation among the local Azandé population.
- France’s foreign ministry says it is closely following the case, and the French embassy has verified the detainee’s condition and is in contact with CAR authorities.
- MSF says the team had been working in the Zapay refugee camp in the DRC and visited Zémio for project-related activities at the invitation of local civil authorities, as the case unfolds days before French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot’s planned visit to Bangui following recent clashes in the area.