At Bangui central prison

(BRUSSELS2 at the Central House in Bangui). The prison was planned for about 300 prisoners. But they are not far from 500 prisoners on the spot.

A prison that mixes all profiles

Criminals, former armed gangs, seleka or anti-balaka, possibly or simple looters. Everyone is more or less together and cohabits without problem according to the prisoners. Here, we only eat once a day, around 13 p.m. " We don't eat enough." Despite everything, the diet does not seem drastic. When we arrived, two prisoners were outside carrying bags of ground cassava.

I want to go back to school

There are minors, 14-15 years old, more often 16 or 17 years old. This is the case of Yvon, 17 years old. " I was arrested for a simple robbery of a house “, he admits. " I've been here for 8 months. Without anything. I would like to go back to school he pleads. " I am in 6th grade ". François proclaims his total innocence. " I did not do anything. I was rounded up with the others. » Richard just took advantage of the confusion to " go and take things from a house, he said.

Incarcerated without a warrant

Justice is, in fact, not always passed by there. Some have been imprisoned for or 9 months without a warrant of committal or having seen a judge. A confirmed fact. " Nearly 100 people are without a warrant confirms the colonel who commands the military detachment guarding the mission.

Prison under high guard

The prison is, in fact, placed under double surveillance, that of the Ministry of Justice inside the prison - 6 guards only, unarmed - and soldiers - rather powerfully armed - to defend a possible assault or attempt to release. Which, given the atmosphere of the district, is not a pure theoretical hypothesis. Not far from there, "Thierry" known as "12 Power", the leader of the local anti-balakas, of the 7th arrondissement, has established his headquarters, " right next to the SOS association ” confided to us a resident a little later.

Rebuilding the penal chain

It is the whole problem of the penal chain being reconstituted which is in question. The European Union is carrying out various projects: training of magistrates, construction of a new court, rehabilitation of the prison with construction of an enclosure wall and protective devices... It is essential. The judgments of the troublemakers are indeed not legion. There are multiple reasons.

A legislative reason, first of all. A Central African judge cannot move around in a prison, the law does not allow him. It's necessary " hear the suspect in the judge's chambers pleads one of them. A practical reason too. For this, we must bring prisoners, so vehicles, safe personnel and weapons. Which is not easy in Bangui. Finally, there is a general atmosphere of impunity. Judges are afraid of reprisals. Not without reason. Some were attacked during a recent hearing. The anti-balaka came to free one of their own, militarily.

Clearly, Yvon and Richard do not seem ready to see a judge...

 (Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)