A "good Night" with the rebels.

Dominofrank (Francis Suleiman) Presently the Project Director for Jesuit Refugee Service Chad, In this narrative describes his first assessment experience in the bush of Central African Republic CAR as Pioneer/Team leader and project Director for JRS CAR
A GOOD NIGHT WITH THE REBELS

I started the journey to Bosanguoa OUAM Province with Fr Luke, a Swiss Jesuit, and the Ivorian finance assistant manager.

We arrived safely in Bosangoua, and spent the night with the Bishop .Very early the next day, we headed for Bougila. The roads were not tarred but passable. On our journey, we encountered armed loyalists who were responsible for protecting the government. They all appeared to know the Bishop and respected him very much. They shook hands with him before allowing us to proceed on our journey.

BOUGILA
When we arrived in Bougila ,we inspected the only school we saw on ground. There, I recognized the presence of MSF and ACF Flag, the only NGOs in the area.

Observations & Recommendations

The total population of Bougila is 23,315 and there is only one school serving the entire community. It’s location is central to Bosangoua and Markunda The school has classes primary 1 to primary 4 only with 4 teachers in attendance and a student population of 231 pupils.
I observed that the school lacked the facilities to serve as a central office for us. It was recommended that a bigger school, with classes from 1st grade to 12th grade, be constructed to accommodate more children. Alternatively, the church could be renovated and extended to pave way for more classes to be built . In addition, there should be training courses for the teachers and provision of teaching aids.

From Bougila we continued our journey to Markounda, driven by the Bishop in his own car.

MARKOUNDA


Observations & Recommendations

The population of Markounda is unknown. We saw refugee camps and IDP sites. We noted over 900 Central Africans displaced and the refugees there were Chadians.
We also saw 2 primary schools and 2 secondary schools (1 catholic school and 1 government school).The Catholic school here is managed by the Sisters of St Joseph of Turin. It seems to be the only decent school ( 1st grade -12 grade) around the region.

The government school, on the other hand, is managed from a shanty thatched hut.

The education inspector is well informed about the schools in the area. He has detailed information, from the number of schools, teachers, and students, to the number of tables and even blackboards. He has requested us to help him get a motor bike to make his job more effective. I strongly support this request.

We could offer assistance in the training of teachers in the two schools and distribution of school materials and teaching aids. Sadly, the refugees and the displaced cannot afford to send their children to the government school or the Catholic school. Hence, running vocational training (carpentry, tailoring, soap making tie and dye, agriculture, baking) in each of the camps, accompanied by pastoral activities, could benefit refugees and the displaced. These activities would be recommended to refugees and the displaced only. However, if community members wish to benefit from the opportunity given to the refugees, they could be registered as well. Please note that limited accommodation would be available in the priest and Sister’s houses.

We noted that there were 3 NGO’s (MSF, ACF, COPI), 1 local church and 1 Catholic Church.

Rebels controlled the zone between Markounda to Maitikoullu. The first rebel check point was manned by a young, handsome, very clean looking boy which I estimated to be about 15 or 16 years of age. He stepped forward with his AK 47 accompanied by four other adults; all armed with locally fabricated guns and imported foreign guns as well.

DAGADEAU

The situation was similar at the other checks point until we got to Dagadeau. We were checked and after a word or two with the bishop, we were asked to go. However, we were stopped by a mature looking rebel who I presumed to be about thirty years of age. He ran out with his cowboy hat, holding an AK47 pointing as if about to shoot us, with double pistols protruding from his pockets. He asked us all to get out of the car, gave us seats, and asked that the cars be checked thoroughly. I followed him round as they searched the vehicle with a bold expression on my face and a little fear in my heart, he did not oppose me following him while he search the cars. My colleagues were seated under the shade with all the villagers watching. He saw computers and my satellite Thuraya phone but did not confiscate them.

He finished the search, satisfied that we were not carrying any weapons or contra band. We returned together to meet the others. He sat down, gave me a seat, and started asking questions about who we were, where we came from and the goal of our mission. He was a bit surprised to know the white man was not the Chief of mission but me. The bishop must be commended for his humility and calmness here.

He began by introducing himself in French, despite the fact that he knew that all the others, except the European, understood Sango, as the grand commander, Felix of the zone (Com Zone). He explained that his men did not inform him that we were coming which was surprising since they were supposed to have informed him. He had information from the area's UNICEF coordinator that a certain organization from the Catholic Church that specialized in education for refugees and displaced people would be coming to help them.

Felix seemed very well connected and informed, as he cited the numbers and contacts of important personnel in the country. He spoke about the country's corrupt government which they supplied with arms and everything they needed to gain power, but which had failed the whole citizenry. He said they had asked for dialogue but the government had not responded to their request. "Please, I request you all to bring education and development to our community", he agitated. He invited us to establish primary schools in all rebel zones within his command. "We are not bad people. We took arms to protect our people from external banditry from Chad and other communities". He took our names, contacts, and all vital information. He was very serious and asked us to be sincere with the information we provided because he stands the chance of rescuing us in the future if by chance we get into trouble with any rebel group.

Almost in tears, he apologized for the embarrassment and delay he caused us, gave us his satellite phone number, and promised to cooperate as much as possible in our mission to their zone. He said it would be impossible for us to visit Maitikulou and return to Bosangoua today because the roads could be dangerous at night. He appointed two civilians to accompany us to our destination who would speak for us in case we got stopped by another rebel group. I left them with a parting word, promising that if we established an education project in Maitikulou, they would benefit from the school materials and probably food distribution in schools, if World Food Programme agrees to partner with me. We parted for Maitikoulu with the so called civilians but I think they were rebels without arms.

MAITIKULOU

Maitikulou is the last boarder town before Chad. People cross into Chad for education because there is nothing here, except the small Catholic school run by the catechist and the community.
The population of Maitikulou is unknown. There is only 1 catholic school with 259 pupils (155 boys and 104 girls) and only 2 teachers. There are no NGOs, no clinic or health centre. There are lots of cross border activities and great farming activities with sesame and cotton cultivation done in crude and stressful way.

Observations and Recommendations

The people felt somewhat protected because their youths were armed with guns. Chad is only a stone's throw from Maitikulou, by way of a small river. The community seemed the happiest to see us and expressed with great joy that their prayers had been answered at last.

There is a church house but no parish house. The people were ready to help build a place for anybody coming to live and work with them. They promised to construct another school before our next visit, recognizing that the thatched roof here was too small for the number of students and prospective students.

The need for teacher"s training and school material distribution is urgent. In the long term we could construct a solid 1st – 12th grade school in order to stop the cross boarder problem. We would engage in pastoral and social services with the community and thereby create an income-generating project which could even help get their farm produce to the bigger markets in Bangui or Bosangua. We left Maitikuluo with the hope of returning to Markunda.

DIBALO
A "Good night" with the rebels

Upon arriving in Dibalo, a five minute drive from Dagadeau, we were stopped by the chief rebel. As instructed by the Com Zone (Felix), he rode on his motorbike to instruct them that they should not allow us to pass because the road was dangerous that night. Some bandits were coming from Chad to strike, so we should either return to Maitikulou or sleep in that village and continue our journey by 5 am the next day.

It was 5 pm and already getting dark. We asked to proceed to see the chief ourselves but they refused, saying that the chief had spoken and to go as instructed without complaining. We dropped the two "civilians" and headed to find the chief rebel in this village, (Dibalo), an elderly looking man of about fifty. He, along with the village Catechist, was very happy to receive us. He ordered that two big chickens be killed and to start making food for us. He asked us to park the two cars in a "V" shape to make a bathroom for us in which to bathe and asked the children to go to the river to get water. He requested that the water be boiled, and that every villager bring out their best mats and mosquito nets. He ordered the youths to cut tree branches to make the mosquito poles, and we all sat down to chat and listen to their stories. It was no different from what we had heard from Dagadaeu and all the other villages.

When the food was ready the Bishop blessed our meal and we all ate together from the tray: Chicken sauce and "gozo", Cassava flourmill (Fufu). The Bishop, Fr Long, and John Jack were the first to fall asleep in the open. A thatched room was deserted and prepared for Fr Luke to sleep in. I sent for cigarettes from the neighboring village and shared with everybody who was awake. I remained with the inspector, the catechist, the rest of the villagers, and the chief rebel of Dibalo, chatting into the late night. It was a good night and I enjoyed every bit of it as it reminded me of my first encounter with rebels in the Bomi forest of Liberia.

I was able to catch two hours of sleep in the car and afterwards came out to enjoy the cool morning breeze. The Bishop was up by 4:30 and coffee was ready by 5:00. We all drank, thanked them, and left our little widows might with the chief rebel. He wore his cowboy hat which seemed to be the symbol of Chieftain within the rebel dynasty and accompanied us to the next village. He gave us a military salute and wished us well for the rest of the journey.

The rest of the journey was hitch free through Markunda where we had brunch and continued through Nana Bakasa just a few kilometers from Bosangoua where we met a large group of rebels. We stopped to talk with them. They told us they were proceeding because they got orders from above to move on. To where, From where, From whom? This was strange because this was not a rebel zone. The loyalists were there and seemed to be watching the rebels parading the streets with their arms, but the loyalists were few compared to the rebels and the rebels were better armed.

At this point I remembered why we were stopped from our intended journey last night. Most of the rebels were Chadian. If we insisted to continue last night we would have encountered some of these-thug like rebels.

SIDO

Sido is a border settlement another stone's throw from Chad.

The population is about 18,000 mostly Central Africans . There was only 1 community school with a population of 627 pupils (227 boys and 373 girls). The NGO’s on ground were Norwegian refugee council (NRC), Teaching Child Right sponsored by UNICEF. There were a lot of cross border activities, especially crossing border to attend school in Chad. We also observed that there was only one small community chemist. The basic needs are education, medical , teacher training and other social amenities.

Observations and Recommendations

The road from Bosangoua to Sido was the worst road in the entire Province, but funny enough, one had to pass through the president's village to get there. The best option is always to come from Bangui to Kakabandoro, then to Kabo then Sido. Any of the routes taken requires whole day's journey there is a great number of NGOs in Kabo because it is the biggest most populated town before Sido or Chad. This is equally a transit point for refugees to Chad or refugees from Chad. They get registered here and are given refugee status. However, those in Sido don't usually go through this process. They cross the border simply and return simply. It took only 15 minutes for someone to buy us a sim card from Chad.

This is heavily populated border settlement. People have fled from here before and are still fleeing while others are returning. The UNICEF Representative for this area agreed with me that the figure in school is too small for this community and needs urgent attention.

We could advocate for a health center for this community through MSF or Merlin. We could construct a third school here running from 1st to 12th grade and run teacher training. Distribution of school materials should be considered too. Community income-generating projects could be initiated with the people. There is a church house but no priest residence. We could help the priest who travels 100km from Kabo to celebrate mass here if he wishes and if there is a priest or Brother in the team but pastoral need is not a priority or basic need here.

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

I have seen rebels before from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and even the Philippines, but never in my life have I seen such a great number as in CAR. I still maintain that I have enjoyed the company of rebels in these countries but none have been as hospitable as the rebels I have met in CAR so far.

I have equally met very humble good bishops from Onaikan to Martins to Zigler, to Xavier, but have never come across any bishop as simple as Bishop Francois Yombandje Xavier of Bosanguoa. How else could one be so in touch with reality; with his people and with the truth or better still, preach the gospel without words? He always introduces himself to the rebels who do not know him as "we are from the Catholic Mission". His humility is without doubt, very great.

Since the Bishop of Bosangua has promised us an office in Bosangua. We should take it immediately, establish an office there and work with UNICEF to distribute school materials to all schools in OAUM Province. From this office, activities could be facilitated for JRS to establish three teams at SIDO, MAITIKULO and MARKUNDA. Let me emphasize that activities in Markunda should ONLY be within the camps even if the personnel or team live with the Sisters or at the parish. Vocational training for adults and an Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) should be prioritized for Children. The need for construction of solid schools in Sido, Miaitikuluo, and Bougila cannot be over emphasized. If money is limited, the church in Sido could be expanded to accommodate more children. The need for teacher training and pedagogy is great. School feeding should be advocated as a basic priority in all schools in Oaum Province. This will encourage children to attend school and relieve parents from having to look for food when children return home from school.

Another possibility is to have the central office in Bougila from which to coordinate projects, since there is an aerodrome there. There is an aerodrome in Kabo as well; making transportation of material to Sido very easy.

Every team should have a culture, peace, and sports troupe to entertain and recreate from time to time. This helps reunite villages, reinforce their protection of one another, and even helps to prevent the use of arms.

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