Two civilians from Zemio, Antoine Zogonimbou and Mboliloungoule, were reportedly abducted by unidentified armed men before being subjected to severe torture at the Berengo detention facility. After days of brutal treatment, they were transferred to the gendarmerie cells in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.
The ordeal began when the men were forcibly taken from their homes in Zemio, a town in the southeastern part of the country. Witnesses reported seeing them being dragged into unmarked vehicles by individuals believed to be associated with foreign mercenary groups operating in the region. Their families, desperate for information, were left in the dark for days as the captives were moved between undisclosed locations.
Upon arrival at the Berengo facility—a notorious site linked to recent human rights violations—the two men were allegedly subjected to inhumane treatment. Survivors and local sources described harrowing accounts of physical abuse, psychological torment, and coercion aimed at extracting confessions or information. Despite the lack of official confirmation, multiple testimonies point to the involvement of Russian-speaking mercenaries, whose presence in the Central African Republic has been a growing concern for international observers.
After enduring days of torture, Zogonimbou and Mboliloungoule were unexpectedly transferred to the gendarmerie headquarters in Bangui. Their sudden relocation has raised questions about the motives behind their detention and the legal status of their case. Authorities have yet to issue a formal statement regarding their arrest or the conditions under which they were held in Berengo.
Human rights advocates have condemned the alleged actions of the mercenaries, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency. The incident underscores broader concerns about the rule of law in the Central African Republic, where foreign armed groups continue to operate with limited oversight. As the international community watches closely, calls for an independent investigation into these abuses grow louder.
