Pastor Issène Faki of the Bataillon 2 church of the UFEB is currently facing public scrutiny over a financial matter reportedly dating back nearly 10 years. This long-standing financial dispute has recently escalated into a public confrontation. Fidèle Gouandjika, a prominent minister advisor, has demanded immediate repayment of a 1,800,000 FCFA debt from the pastor. Gouandjika stated on air, "Gouandjika a alors annoncé, en direct sur les ondes, que la plainte était bien réelle et qu’il exigeait le remboursement immédiat, rappelant que cette affaire durait depuis des années." The dispute notes a long-standing financial obligation now coming to public attention, with Mr. Gouandjika publicly demanding the restitution of the 1,800,000 FCFA.
Origins of the Financial Dispute
The financial dispute involving Pastor Issène Faki originated during his tenure as director of ESTEB, the École Supérieure de Théologie Évangélique de Bangui. The institution is located in the Boy-Rabe neighborhood of Bangui. During this period, a soldier from the Central African Armed Forces sought to enroll at ESTEB with the intention of becoming a pastor. The soldier's aspiration was to undertake theological studies and pursue a religious vocation.
The soldier reportedly paid the full tuition sum directly to Issène Faki, who held the director position at the time. This payment was intended to cover the costs of a three-year theological training program, which included necessary materials. The claimed amount for this full program was 1,800,000 FCFA. However, Issène Faki was subsequently transferred to lead the Bataillon 2 church. Following this transfer, the soldier's enrollment was not completed as initially intended, despite the full payment having been made to Pastor Faki. The soldier then reportedly attempted to secure repayment from Issène Faki for the funds paid, with these efforts occurring possibly between 2018 and 2019, though without success. These attempts to recover the funds reportedly spanned several years, indicating the prolonged nature of the dispute.
Radio Confrontation and Public Pressure
The debt became a subject of public discussion when it was addressed live on the radio station owned by minister advisor Fidèle Gouandjika. Mr. Gouandjika's radio station, located in the Boy-Rabe neighborhood, was approached by the soldier seeking assistance with the financial dispute. The soldier's decision to involve a public figure and a radio station shows the difficulties faced in resolving the matter privately. During the live broadcast, Mr. Gouandjika contacted Pastor Issène Faki directly to discuss the outstanding debt. Pastor Faki, speaking on air during the live broadcast, stated that the issue should not be resolved live on the radio, expressing a preference for a private resolution. Despite this, he acknowledged receiving the sum of money from the soldier during the same broadcast, confirming the central fact of the debt. Fidèle Gouandjika announced live on air, "Gouandjika a alors annoncé, en direct sur les ondes, que la plainte était bien réelle et qu’il exigeait le remboursement immédiat, rappelant que cette affaire durait depuis des années." This public confrontation significantly escalated pressure on Pastor Faki to address the long-standing financial obligation, bringing the matter into the public domain.
Legal and Repayment Demands
The claimed amount for the three years of theological training, including necessary materials, totaled 1,800,000 FCFA. This figure represents the sum allegedly paid by the soldier to Pastor Issène Faki for his enrollment at ESTEB. Fidèle Gouandjika has publicly threatened to file a formal complaint himself if Pastor Faki does not repay the money, emphasizing the seriousness of his demand. Gouandjika previously announced on air that the complaint was real and demanded immediate repayment, stating, "Gouandjika a alors annoncé, en direct sur les ondes, que la plainte était bien réelle et qu’il exigeait le remboursement immédiat, rappelant que cette affaire durait depuis des années." The soldier reportedly filed a complaint at the tribunal concerning the debt, seeking legal recourse for the unpaid sum. However, the case was reportedly blocked due to Issène Faki's connections, according to reports. This alleged blockage has added another layer of difficulty to the soldier's efforts to recover the funds, prompting the soldier to seek assistance from Fidèle Gouandjika and leading to the public radio confrontation. The demand for immediate repayment of the 1,800,000 FCFA debt remains central to the ongoing dispute.
