Thierry Pelenga
Thierry Pelenga in February 2018
Born1982 or 1983 (age 40–41)
NationalityCentral African Republic
Other namesBokassa
Military career
AllegianceAnti-balaka
Years of service2018 –

Thierry François Pelenga alias Bokassa is an Anti-balaka leader and war criminal from Haute-Kotto prefecture in the Central African Republic.

War

As a member of Banda ethnic group, Pelenga was a leader of one of the Banda self-defense groups in Bria under influence of FPRC. In June 2016 he was elected zone commander of Bria's subprefecture. Maxime Mokom reportedly approached him and tried to persuade him to join Anti-balaka forces. Initially he refused.[1]

In February 2018 he was reportedly one of leaders of Anti-balaka in PK3 camp in Bria, Central African Republic, together with Jean-Francis Diandi, also known as Ramazani. At this point he was 35 years old.[2] In June 2018 he killed four women in the village of Gbre, five kilometers from Bria. The next day, his fighters killed three people.[3]

In December 2020 he left Bria to join Coalition of Patriots for Change in Bambari. Later he returned with his fighters to Bria-Igrabanda road. Several cases of sexual violence have been reported since his arrival.[4] In July 2021 he was reportedly based in Igrabanda south of Bria. On 31 July he agreed to disarm 50 of his fighters. Government forces collected 31 weapons.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Letter dated 6 December 2017 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to resolution 2339 (2017) addressed to the President of the Security Council". p. 31.
  2. ↑ República Centroafricana la guerra que no termina
  3. ↑ Central African Republic: Rebels Executing Civilians, 12 October 2018
  4. ↑ https://wpcdn.alaan.tv/2021/07/01/20210701-1625125803347-original.pdf
  5. ↑ Centrafrique : Une centaine d’éléments armés de la CPC de Bria dans la Haute-Kotto déposent volontairement leurs armes, 31 July 2021
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