A sergeant of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) died by suicide on 22 October at a military checkpoint. The incident occurred near the exit of Mbrés, located within the Nana-Gribizi prefecture. Local authorities confirmed the death at the site, which serves as a security position for the armed forces in the region. Military officials have initiated a review of the circumstances surrounding the event at the outpost. No further details regarding the sergeant's identity or the specific conditions at the checkpoint have been released by the FACA command.
Erratic Behavior Before Incident
Colleagues observed the sergeant consuming alcohol at the checkpoint shortly before the incident. During this period, the soldier made repeated remarks regarding his perceived lack of purpose. A gendarme of the second class recalled the sergeant’s comments, stating, "Il disait qu’il n’avait pas de responsabilité, qu’il ne pesait rien."
The sergeant of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) committed suicide at a checkpoint near the exit of Mbrés, in the Nana-Gribizi prefecture, following this period of evident distress. The sergeant had been drinking alcohol and made statements to colleagues about having no responsibility and not weighing anything. These verbal expressions of despair were noted by those stationed at the military post shortly before the fatal event took place.
The situation escalated when the sergeant approached the gendarme. He handed over his passport before moving toward an area of nearby grass. The gendarme attempted to intervene to prevent a potential conflict. Recounting the interaction, the gendarme of the second class explained, "Quand il m’a remis son passeport, je suis passé derrière lui pour essayer de le désarmer. Subitement, il s’est retourné et a pointé son arme sur moi. J’ai reculé et levé les deux mains."
The sergeant pointed his weapon at a second-class gendarme who attempted to disarm him before the suicide occurred. This confrontation forced the gendarme to retreat to ensure his own safety as the sergeant brandished his service weapon. The sergeant handed his passport to a gendarme before moving into nearby grass and shooting himself, a sequence of events that left witnesses at the scene unable to prevent the outcome.
After the confrontation, the sergeant retreated further into the vegetation while still in possession of his service weapon. The gendarme of the second class described the final moments, noting, "Il a pris son arme, il est parti dans les herbes et il a tiré un coup sur lui. Il s’est suicidé." The military authorities are currently processing the scene of the incident near the exit of Mbrés, as the investigation continues into the specific motivations and the state of the sergeant during his final hours at the Nana-Gribizi prefecture checkpoint.
