Gaga, Central African Republic
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
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Gaga is a village located in the Central African Republic prefecture of Ombella-M'Poko. Artisanal gold mining is active in the commune.
History
On 7 October 2013 Seleka fighters raided Gaga and began demanding money and shooting people who refused to pay. At least 17 people were killed and then their bodies thrown into wells. Many people fled the town.[https://www.concernusa.org/feature_story/war-and-water-in-central-african-republic/ WHEN WELLS BECAME GRAVES: CASUALTIES OF WAR AND WATER IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118001835/https://www.concernusa.org/feature_story/war-and-water-in-central-african-republic/ |date=18 January 2021 }}, 27 August 2015 On 9 October Anti-balaka attacked Gaga killing four rebels and then started attacking Muslim civilians killing around 60 people.[https://www.reuters.com/article/centralafrica-clashes/around-60-dead-in-clashes-in-central-african-republic-idINDEE9980AY20131009?edition-redirect=uk Around 60 dead in clashes in Central African Republic], 9 October 2013 Six days later, on 13 October, Anti-balaka took control of Gaga.
According to November 2019 report there were at least 16 artisanal gold mining sites in the Gaga commune. Chinese company was reportedly involved in some of these sites.[https://ipisresearch.be/mapping/webmapping/resources/img_publications/AMPR_IPIS_ASM_Mapping_Western_CAR_English.pdf MAPPING ARTISANAL MINING SITES IN THE WESTERN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC]
On 30 August 2020 militias took control of Gaga after clashes with FACA soldiers. They ransacked buildings of Chinese companies operating in the area.{{cite web|url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/rca-debandade-generale-a-gaga-la-situation-devient-incontrolable-et-un-renfort-des-faca-est-en-route/|title=RCA : débandade générale à Gaga, la situation devient incontrôlable, et un renfort des FACA est en route|date=1 September 2020}} Soldiers returned to the town on 2 September.{{cite web|url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/h-2/|title=RCA : première nuit calme à Gaga, le ministre des Mines tente sur place de trouver un terrain d’entente avec les belligérants|date=2 September 2020}} On 15 December 2020 it was captured by Anti-balaka fighters.{{cite web|url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/rca-tension-preelectorale-panique-a-yaloke-et-a-bossembele-les-anti-balaka-occupent-gaga/|title=RCA : tension préélectorale, panique à Yaloké et à Bossembélé, les Anti-Balaka occupent Gaga|date=16 December 2020}} 32 Chinese workers fled the mine and were rescued by Bangladeshi peacekeepers.[https://www.thedailystar.net/world/africa/news/bangladeshi-peacekeepers-rescue-32-chinese-workers-central-african-republic-2036925 Bangladeshi peacekeepers rescue 32 Chinese workers in Central African Republic], 31 January 2021 As of 25 February 2021 rebels were still present in the vicinity of Gaga.[https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/rca-presence-signalee-des-rebelles-de-la-cpc-dans-les-localites-de-gaga-des-scenes-de-braquage-enregistres/ RCA : présence signalée des rebelles de la CPC dans les localités de Gaga, des scènes de braquage enregistrés], 25 February 2021
In May 2024, four workers were killed by rebels who attacked the mining town. The rebels were reportedly linked to the Coalition of Patriots for Change.{{cite web |author= |date=12 May 2024 |title=4 killed during rebel attack on Central African Republic mining town |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/killed-during-rebel-attack-on-central-african-republic-mining-town-/7608050.html |website=Voice of America |access-date=4 February 2025}}{{cite web |author= |date=2 July 2024 |title=CAR Accuses Chinese Mining Company of Colluding With Rebel Groups |url=https://adf-magazine.com/2024/07/car-accuses-chinese-mining-company-of-colluding-with-rebel-groups |website=Africa Defense Forum Magazine |access-date=4 February 2025}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Ombella-M'Poko}}
Category:Populated places in Ombella-M'Poko
{{CentralAfricanRepublic-geo-stub}}