| Anti-balaka | |
|---|---|
 Anti-balaka militia in Gbaguili, a village located 340 km from Bangui | |
| Leaders |  Bernard Bonda (Mokom branch) Igor Lamaka (Ngaïssona branch) Maxime Mokom  Dieudonné Ndomaté Levy Yakete † Patrice Edouard Ngaissona See full list |
| Dates of operation | 2013–present |
| Headquarters | Bossangoa[1] (until 2021) N'Djamena, Chad (since 2021)[2] |
| Active regions | Central African Republic |
| Part of | Coalition of Patriots for Change (since 2020) |
| Opponents | Séléka and splinter groups (until 2020) |
| Battles and wars | Central African Republic Civil War (2012–present) |
The Anti-balaka (anti-machete) is an alliance[citation needed] of militia groups based in the Central African Republic in the early 21st century said by the Guardian to be composed primarily of Christians, but also some Muslims.[3] However, some church leaders have contested the claimed exclusively Christian character of such groups.[4] The Tony Blair Faith Foundation and journalist Andrew Katz have noted that animists also participate in Anti-balaka groups.[5][6]
This militia[clarification needed] formed in the Central African Republic after the rise to power of Michel Djotodia in 2013.[7] Amnesty International reported in 2015 that some members of anti-balaka groups had forcibly converted Muslims to Christianity.[8] Anti-balaka leaders have also been present at torture session of people accused of being witches in public ceremonies, and the Anti-balaka have been accused of extorting money with witchcraft accusation, according to an internal UN report.[9]
- ^ "How to prevent a return to violence in the Central African Republic". October 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
- ^ François Bozizé et d'autres chefs rebelles centrafricains se trouvent à Ndjamena Archived 2021-11-16 at the Wayback Machine, 7 November 2021
- ^ "Christian militias take bloody revenge on Muslims in Central African Republic". Guardian. 10 March 2014. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ "There are no Christian militias killing Muslims in the Central African Republic". Aid to the Church in Need. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ Emily Mellgard. "What is the Antibalaka?". tonyblairfaithfoundation. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ Andrew Katz (May 29, 2014). "'A Question of Humanity': Witness to the Turning Point In Central African Republic". Time. Archived from the original on September 20, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ^ C.Africa militia is an enemy of peace: French commander Archived 2016-03-14 at the Wayback Machine, apa.az, accessed 14 March 2014
- ^ Central African Republic: Unprotected Muslims forced to abandon religion Archived 2018-07-24 at the Wayback Machine, Amnesty International UK (July 31, 2015).
- ^ Esslemont, Tom. "Witch burning rebels stoke Central African Republic violence". U.S. Archived from the original on 2019-02-04. Retrieved 2018-04-11.