Central African Republic civil society leaders arrested
Organisations pleaded with President Touadéra for the release of five leaders detained after an October 12 protest.
Five civil society leaders remain detained in the Central African Republic following their arrest after an October 12 "dead city" day protest. Organisations met President Faustin-Archange Touadéra on October 21 to advocate for their release. The protest was organised to object to rising fuel prices.
The Minister of Interior, Bienvenu Zokoué, has invoked the events of 2013, suggesting that current mobilisations against fuel price hikes threaten the nation's stability. This statement follows the arrests of five civil society leaders in Bangui.
President Touadéra responded to the organisations by citing the principle of the separation of powers. The detained leaders were arrested after the October 12 demonstration against increased fuel costs.
Why it mattersFive civil society leaders were arrested in Bangui after protesting fuel price increases.