Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group abducted Steeve Bendo-Ndeni from his home in the Combattant neighborhood of Bangui on 15 October 2026. The abduction of the civil society leader took place during an operation in the capital. Steeve Bendo-Ndeni is currently being held in the facilities of the Force d’intervention du corps urbain (FICU). The operation conducted by the Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group specifically targeted the residence of Steeve Bendo-Ndeni in the Combattant neighborhood of Bangui on October 15, 2026. Following this initial action, Steeve Bendo-Ndeni was removed from his home by the personnel involved in the operation.
Wider Crackdown on Activists
Four other civil society leaders, Paul Crescent Béninga, Fidel Ngouandika, Baba Kongoboro, and Héritier Doneng, were captured in Bangui on 15 October 2026. These arrests occurred following the organization of a 'ville morte' protest held on 12 October. Participants in that earlier action demonstrated against fuel price increases in the Central African Republic. Alain Nzilo remains the only civil society leader from this specific group not reported detained in the aftermath of the protest. The capture of Paul Crescent Béninga, Fidel Ngouandika, Baba Kongoboro, and Héritier Doneng followed their direct involvement in the coordination of the October 12 protest. This 'ville morte' protest was specifically aimed at expressing public opposition to the rising fuel price increases affecting the Central African Republic. The subsequent arrests on October 15, 2026, represent a significant escalation in the treatment of those who organized the demonstration.
Authorities Deny Information Access
Paul Crescent Béninga, serving as spokesperson for the Groupe de travail de la société civile, sought information regarding the location of Steeve Bendo-Ndeni following the abduction. Official bodies including the Compagnie nationale de sécurité, the public prosecutor, the central police station, and the criminal brigade refused to provide him with any details concerning the whereabouts of the detained leader. As the spokesperson for the Groupe de travail de la société civile, Paul Crescent Béninga attempted to engage with multiple state institutions to secure information about Steeve Bendo-Ndeni. However, the Compagnie nationale de sécurité, the public prosecutor, the central police station, and the criminal brigade each declined to offer any clarity or confirmation regarding where Steeve Bendo-Ndeni is being held.
Fidel Ngouandika, who holds the position of Minister Advisor to the Presidency, addressed the current climate in the country. He characterized the government's approach by stating, "La République centrafricaine fonctionne désormais comme un État policier." This assessment by Fidel Ngouandika, made in his capacity as Minister Advisor to the Presidency, notes the growing concern regarding the governance and security environment within the Central African Republic. By stating that the country is functioning as a police state, Fidel Ngouandika provided a stark evaluation of the current political landscape following the recent wave of detentions.