Djemah
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Djemah
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| settlement_type = Sub-prefecture and town
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| image_map = Haut-Mbomou sub-prefectures.png
| mapsize = 300px
| map_caption = Sub-prefectures of Haut-Mbomou
| pushpin_map = Central African Republic
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_mapsize = 300
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the Central African Republic
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Central African Republic}}
| subdivision_type1 = Prefecture
| subdivision_name1 = Haut-Mbomou
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| leader_title = Sub-Prefect
| leader_title1 = Mayor
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| unit_pref = Imperial
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| timezone = WAT
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| coordinates = {{coord|6|3|N|25|19|E|region:CF|display=inline,title}}
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Djemah is a town and sub-prefecture in the Haut-Mbomou Prefecture of the south-eastern Central African Republic. It is the least-populous sub-prefecture in the country. The town is largely neglected by the central government since the country gained independence from France in 1960.{{cite web |last1=Yongo |first1=Judicael |title=Centrafrique : La ville de Djéma à l’Extrême-est du pays manque d’infrastructures sanitaires |url=https://www.rjdhrca.org/centrafrique-la-ville-de-djema-a-lextreme-est-du-pays-manque-dinfrastructures-sanitaires/ |website=rjdhrca.org |publisher=RJDH-Centrafrique |access-date=19 July 2023}}
Etymology
The town is named after local chief Djemah, who was accused of murder by French colonial officials and executed in Bangui in 1914.{{cite book |last1=Bradshaw |first1=Richard |last2=Fandos-Rius |first2=Juan |date=2016 |title=Historical Dictionary of the Central African Republic |edition=New |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |location=Lanham, Maryland |isbn=9780810879911 |page=224}}
History
Djemah was founded as a French colonial post in March 1897.{{cite book |last1=Rius |first1=Juan Fandos |last2=Bradshaw |first2=Richard |title=Historical Dictionary of the Central African Republic |date=2016 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |location=Maryland |isbn=9780810879928 |page=645}}{{cite book |last1=Serre |first1=Jacques |last2=Fandos-Rius |first2=Juan |title=Répertoire de l'administration territoriale de la République centrafricaine |date=2014 |publisher=L’Harmattan |location=Paris |isbn=978-2-343-01298-8 |page=223}}
On 5 October 2009, 60 LRA fighters led by Major Olanya attacked Djemah to obtain food and kidnap the locals. As they arrived at the town, they shot in the air to warn the town residents, thus leading them to flee the town and alert the Ugandan soldiers who had arrived in Djemah last night. The looting lasted for one hour and later, the Uganda forces arrived at the town. Realizing the presence of UPDF, LRA militias fled to the forest, and the Ugandan troops chased them. During the pursuit, a clash happened between two belligerents, resulting in the death of around 25 LRA members. The looting was unsuccessful, and in retaliation, three abductees were executed by LRA.{{cite book |last1=Cakaj |first1=Ledio |title=When The Walking Defeats You: One Man's Journey as Joseph Kony's Bodyguard |date=2016 |publisher=Zed Books |isbn=9781783608126 |location=London |page=347}}
On 25 May 2024, armed forces returned to Djmeah after clashing with UPC rebels.[https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/grande-offensive-des-wagner-ti-azande-et-les-russes-contre-lupc-a-mboki-zemio-et-djema/ Grande offensive des Wagner ti Azandé et les russes contre l’UPC à Mboki, Zémio et Djema], 25 May 2024
Economy
Due to the remoteness of the location, the locals relied on hunting, gathering and fishing for their livelihood.{{cite web |last1=Ndeke Luka |first1=Ndeke Luka |title=Centrafrique : la localité de Djema abandonnée par l’Etat ? |url=https://www.radiondekeluka.org/actualites/societe/38440-centrafrique-la-localite-de-djema-abandonnee-par-l-etat.html |website=radiondekeluka.org |publisher=Radio Ndeke Luka |access-date=19 July 2023}}
Education
Healthcare
Djemah has one health center.{{cite report|author=World Health Organization|date=March 2017|title=Enquête rapide sur l'estimation des besoins de santé des populations affectées par la crise en République Centrafricaine en 2016|url=https://www.afro.who.int/sites/default/files/2017-07/RCA%20Rapport%20de%20l%27enqu%C3%AAte%20HeRAMS%20%202016%20Version%20finale_0.pdf|page=TT|access-date=19 July 2023}} However, many of the town residents are very dependent on traditional medicine since there is no doctor and qualified nurses.
Gallery
File:Djemah Airfield.jpeg|The airfield located to the south of the town of Djemah.
File:Djemah Ferry Boat.jpeg|The ferry which crosses the river to the north of Djemah.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Sub-prefectures of the Central African Republic}}
{{Haut-Mbomou}}
Category:Populated places established in 1897
Category:Sub-prefectures of the Central African Republic
Category:Populated places in Haut-Mbomou
{{CAR-geo-stub}}