Soldiers from the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) are reportedly deserting their positions in Birao, a town located in the extreme northeast of the Central African Republic. Birao sits strategically near the Sudanese border, a geographic position that makes the withdrawal of military personnel particularly significant for regional stability. The departures are occurring amid reports of unpaid allowances and extended deployment periods, according to sources familiar with the situation. This development potentially impacts security in a region already facing instability, especially given Birao's proximity to the Sudanese frontier. The FACA soldiers' abandonment of their posts marks a concerning turn for the Central African Republic's military presence in this remote and vital area.
Desertion Patterns Emerge
Many soldiers have been on the ground in Birao for extended periods, far beyond their initial assignments, with some deployments lasting one year, one and a half years, or even two to three years. These FACA personnel typically first travel to Ndélé, the capital of Bamingui-Bangoran province, after leaving Birao. From Ndélé, they then proceed to Bangui, the nation's capital. These departures from their posts often occur under the pretext of illness or family bereavement, according to sources familiar with the situation, providing a cover for what is effectively desertion due to untenable conditions. Most soldiers were initially deployed for missions intended to last a maximum of six months, making the current prolonged stays a significant point of contention and hardship.
Financial Hardship and Unpaid Allowances
The primary reason cited for the desertions is the non-payment of the global food allowance (PGA). This monthly allocation is specifically intended to cover soldiers' daily food and uniform maintenance needs, which are critical for their operational effectiveness and well-being. The PGA has not been paid to the soldiers for a staggering seven years, contributing to significant financial hardship and undermining their ability to sustain themselves in the field. This long-standing issue has created an unsustainable situation for the deployed troops.
Upon their arrival in Birao, some soldiers reportedly received a one-time sum of 5,000 CFA francs for installation purposes. However, no additional payments have been made to them for over a year and a half, leaving them without essential financial support for an extended period. While salaries are regularly credited to soldiers' bank accounts in Bangui, personnel in Birao cannot access these funds due to the absence of banking infrastructure in the region, effectively cutting them off from their earned income. The taxes collected at road barriers in the area yield very little revenue, providing minimal alternative income. These meager revenues are then shared between the detachment chief and the soldiers, amounts that are insufficient to cover everyone's basic food needs, exacerbating the financial strain.
Extended Stays and Insufficient Support
The prolonged stays in Birao, coupled with the absence of consistent food support, are cited as key factors behind the significant departures of FACA soldiers from the area. Many of these soldiers were initially deployed to the region for missions intended to last a maximum of six months. However, these deployments have frequently extended far beyond their original terms, creating a sense of abandonment and neglect among the troops. While MINUSCA peacekeepers occasionally offer aid such as rice or fish, this support is irregular and ultimately insufficient to meet the ongoing needs of the deployed FACA personnel. The combination of these factors — extended deployments, lack of financial access, and inadequate logistical support — explains the massive departures observed in Birao, painting a clear picture of the challenges faced by the Central African Armed Forces in maintaining their presence in critical border regions.
