In Zawa, police demand up to 20,000 CFA francs per motorbike
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Corbeau News Centrafrique
In Zawa, on National Route 1 in the Central African Republic, police are demanding up to 20,000 CFA francs per motorbike from passengers, compared with around 2,000 previously. The levies continue at roadblocks retained after several checkpoints were dismantled in 2023, according to Corbeau News Centrafrique.
In Zawa, on National Route 1 in the Central African Republic, police are demanding up to 20,000 CFA francs per motorbike from passengers, according to Corbeau News Centrafrique, which cites information gathered by its newsroom. The levies were generally around 2,000 CFA francs previously, the media outlet says.
The officers concerned are Judicaël Watelendji, nicknamed “Bokassa”, and Bienvenue Soignet, nicknamed “Lampadaire”, who are assigned to the Zawa police station. Christian worshippers travelling to attend a choral conference were asked to pay 15,000 CFA francs per motorbike, according to Corbeau News Centrafrique. The officers reportedly justify the levies by saying the government has not paid their general food allowances.
In 2023, the Central African government launched an operation to dismantle illegal roadblocks. In Zawa, some checkpoints were removed, while others were retained as legal. Traffic on the Zawa road was also blocked by Wagner vehicles, according to a report on 21 October.
