Grimari
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Grimari
|image_skyline =
|imagesize =
|image_caption =
|image_map =
|mapsize =
|map_caption =
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Central African Republic
|subdivision_type1 = Prefecture
|subdivision_name1 = Ouaka
|leader_title = Sub-Prefect
|leader_title1 = Mayor
|leader_name1 =
|population_as_of =
|population_total = 16 486
|area_total_km2 =
|area_total_sq_mi =
|coordinates = {{coord|5|43|N|20|3|E|region:CF|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_m = 476
|elevation_ft =
|pushpin_map = Central African Republic
|pushpin_label_position =bottom
|pushpin_map_caption =Location in Central African Republic
}}
Grimari is a city located in the Ouaka prefecture in Central African Republic, approximately {{convert|222.7|km|mi}} away from the capital, Bangui. The politician Abel Goumba was born in Grimari.
History
On March 1, 1910, Grimari replaced Pouyamba as the capital of the subdivision in the district of Kémo. This subdivision was attached to the constituency of Bambari from 1 January 1920. In 1930, the African Textile Company set up a ginning factory, this cotton company would become Cotonaf.
After World War II, the administrative reform of October 16, 1946, made Grimari the district capital of the Ouaka-Kotto region. On January 23, 1961, the independent Central African Republic established the city of Grimari as the capital of the sub-prefecture.
On April 13, 2014, the Anti-Balaka attacked the Séléka in Grimari with many people being killed and displaced.[https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/c-african-city-calm-after-deadly-sunday-clashes/165197 C. African city calm after deadly Sunday clashes], 22 April 2014 Anti-Balaka forces reportedly took control of the town.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-centralafrica-fighting-idUSBREA3F1BQ20140416 22 reported killed in clashes over Central African Republic town], 16 April 2014
On August 31, 2016, Anti-Balaka forces in Grimari erected roadblocks preventing a MINUSCA convoy from moving and forcing them to return to Bambari.{{Cite web |url=https://undocs.org/pdf?symbol=en%2Fs%2F2016%2F1032 |title=Letter dated 5 December 2016 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to Security Council resolution 2262 (2016) addressed to the President of the Security Council |access-date=20 March 2022 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302012933/https://www.undocs.org/pdf?symbol=en%2FS%2F2016%2F1032 |url-status=dead }} In November 2016 Grimari was reported to be under control of security forces including police and gendarmerie.[https://www.ipisresearch.be/mapping/webmapping/car/v2/#5.739722942741011/20.058352947235107/11.282167963725648/4/2/ IPIS Map CAR v2]
On March 15, 2020, Anti-Balaka forces attacked a MINUSCA base in Grimari, killing one peacekeeper.{{cite web|url=https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/security-council-press-statement-attack-against-multidimensional-integrated-stabilization-mission|title=Security Council Press Statement on Attack against Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic|date=17 March 2020}} On August 3, Anti-Balaka forces attacked Grimari blocking roads to Sibut and Bambari. FACA managed to recapture the city the same day, killing one Anti-Balaka commander.{{cite web|url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/rca-vive-tension-a-grimari-un-general-anti-balaka-tue-par-les-faca/|title=RCA : vive tension à Grimari, un général Anti-Balaka tué par les FACA|date=3 August 2020}} On December 20, rebels from Union for Peace in the Central African Republic took control of the centre of Grimari after bypassing a MINUSCA roadblock.{{cite web|url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/rca-grimari-centre-sous-controle-des-rebelles/|title=RCA : Grimari (Centre) sous contrôle des rebelles|date=20 December 2020}} On January 9, 2021, rebels attacked Grimari. However, government forces were reportedly in control of the town.[https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/427556/car-armed-groups-conduct-attacks-in-bouar-and-grimari-jan-7-9 CAR: Armed groups conduct attacks in Bouar and Grimari Jan. 7-9] On January 15, rebels ambushed peacekeepers in the town of Grimari, killing a peacekeeper from Burundi and injuring two Bangladeshi peacekeepers.[https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210116-un-peacekeeper-killed-in-central-african-republic UN peacekeeper killed in Central African Republic]
References
{{Reflist}}
{{CentralAfricanRepublic-geo-stub}}
{{Ouaka}}
{{Sub-prefectures of the Central African Republic}}