Dominique Désiré Erenon, president of the MDSP party, was arrested at Bangui airport on 3 October 2025. Authorities took him into custody while he was at the facility in the capital of the République centrafricaine. The detention of the MDSP leader has drawn attention to the procedures used by security services during the apprehension of high-profile political figures at transit hubs.
Abakar Mahamat, former director general of the Treasury, was arrested earlier that year on 11 March 2025. Agents from the OCRB detained the former official as part of their operations. The involvement of the OCRB in the case of the former director general notes the ongoing activities of the agency in addressing matters involving former government personnel. These two incidents remain central to concerns regarding political detention in the country.
Long Term Detention Cases
Régis-Lionel Dounda, the former Minister of Youth and Sports, has remained in detention since 2021. This period of incarceration has persisted for several years following his initial apprehension. Legal proceedings resulted in a sentence of ten years in prison in the first instance. This specific judicial outcome established the foundation for his current status within the correctional system of the République centrafricaine.
His legal team currently faces obstacles in pursuing an appeal, as they have not received the necessary judgment document from the court. The absence of this formal record serves as a primary barrier for the defense. Without this documentation, the appeal process for the former minister remains blocked. The legal representatives for Régis-Lionel Dounda have indicated that they cannot proceed with the formal challenge of the initial verdict until the court provides the required written judgment. This procedural delay leaves the former Minister of Youth and Sports in a state of continued detention without the immediate possibility of a secondary review by the appellate courts.
Martin Ziguélé, the former Prime Minister and president of the MLPC, has commented on the broader implications of these legal and detention circumstances within the country. The former Prime Minister has observed how these judicial actions affect the political landscape and the individuals involved in these cases. Regarding the state of individuals facing such judicial hurdles, Martin Ziguélé stated, "Il y a plusieurs formes de prison." He further emphasized the limitations placed on political figures, noting, "Même si vous êtes dehors et que vous ne pouvez pas parler, c’est comme si vous étiez en prison." These remarks from the president of the MLPC show the concerns held by political leaders regarding the environment in which they operate and the potential for judicial processes to influence the capacity of political figures to engage in public discourse. The situation regarding the former Minister of Youth and Sports, the former director general of the Treasury, and the president of the MDSP continues to be a subject of discussion among those monitoring the legal and political climate in the capital.