Central African Republic: the commander of the Bambouti brigade escapes after more than seven months of captivity.

Séverin Ketemalet was kidnapped on the day of the general elections along with three other individuals, while AAKG fighters were obstructing the voting process in Bambouti, in the southeast of the Central African Republic.

According to the prefect of Haut-Mbomou, Léonard Mbélé, the gendarme escaped with the help of an Azandé militiaman. He allegedly guided him through the bush to Zemio, where the commander was taken in by the administrative and military authorities.

However, the exact circumstances of his release remain uncertain. The authorities did not clarify whether it was an escape, a negotiated release, or an arrangement with his captors.

A weakened gendarme after his detention

Upon his arrival in Zemio, Séverin Ketemalet appeared very weak. The authorities also reported psychological aftereffects related to the duration of his detention, without providing further details on his health status.

The sub-prefect of Bambouti and two agents of the National Election Authority remain in the hands of the kidnappers. Their situation has not been clarified by local authorities.

Founded in 2023 in southeast Central African Republic, the AAKG initially presented itself as a self-defense movement for the Azandé community. The group has since been involved in clashes with the Central African Armed Forces and has been accused by several organizations of committing atrocities against civilians.