Arrested Civil Society Leaders Will Not Be Released

By Susan CARTER JONES | LNC


(Bangui, October 18, 2026 | LAMINE MÉDIA) Contrary to claims made by the government spokesperson, the arrested civil society leaders have not been released. Furthermore, there are five of them, not four. Civil society organizations (CSOs) have given the authorities until Monday afternoon to release the five individuals; otherwise, they threaten to call for a new "dead city" (general strike/shutdown) across the entire country.
Worse still, in a statement read on national television on the evening of Saturday, October 17, the public prosecutor announced the opening of an investigation into these civil society organizations, accusing them of seeking to disturb public order and incite civil disobedience.
Meanwhile, a broad spectrum of groups—including human rights organizations, the political opposition, various national stakeholders, and even some voices from within the government—have denounced the arrests as arbitrary and are demanding the release of those detained. However, last Saturday, the lawyers for the five civil society figures arrested in Bangui attempted, unsuccessfully, to meet with their clients.
Maître Nicolas Tiangaye, one of the twelve defense attorneys, condemned the situation: "We had informed the public prosecutor at the Bangui High Court, in writing, that we had been retained to represent these five individuals. Our first step was to meet with our clients to gather evidence for their defense and to understand the specific allegations against them. For the time being, we have been denied access to them."
According to the police, the five arrested individuals are in good health. Access restrictions are reportedly being imposed solely for security reasons.
The defense disputes this explanation, arguing that the rights of the detainees are not being upheld: "These individuals are not terrorists. The nature of this regime—which seeks to silence the people of the Central African Republic—is the very antithesis of the rule of law. Asking the public authorities to lower fuel prices is neither a minor offense, a misdemeanor, nor, certainly, a crime."
Early next week, the five civil society leaders are expected to be brought before the public prosecutor.

For: LAMINE MEDIA (in FR and EN)
Date: 18 October 2026
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