Rafaï
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Rafaï
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|image_skyline = Vue aérienne - Rafaï.png
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|pushpin_map = Central African Republic
|pushpin_label_position =bottom
|pushpin_map_caption =Location in Central African Republic
|coordinates = {{coord|4|58|23|N|23|55|55|E|region:CF|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Central African Republic
|subdivision_type1 = Prefecture
|subdivision_name1 = Mbomou
|subdivision_type2 = District
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|leader_title = Sub-Prefect
|leader_title1 = Mayor
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|population_total = 14,000
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Rafaï{{GEOnet2|32FA883141463774E0440003BA962ED3|Rafaï (Approved)}}, United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is a town and sub-prefecture on the Chinko River, in the Central African Republic prefecture of Mbomou. Its estimated population is about 14,000 people.
History
The Sultanate of Rafaï was the last of Ubangi-Shari to still have its sultan.{{Cite book|author=Gide, André|year=1927|title=Voyage au Congo: Carnets de Route|publisher=Gallimard|location=Paris|oclc=19336971}} The last sultan assumed the throne in 1909. On 12 March 2013 Rafaï was captured by Seleka rebels.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/monde/detail_centrafrique-des-rebelles-prennent-la-ville-de-rafai?id=7946455 |title=Centrafrique: des rebelles prennent la ville de Rafaï |access-date=2020-06-19 |archive-date=2020-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621064504/https://www.rtbf.be/info/monde/detail_centrafrique-des-rebelles-prennent-la-ville-de-rafai?id=7946455 |url-status=live }} On 3 March 2018 it was captured by UPC rebels, but three days later it was recaptured by Anti-balaka.{{cite web|url=https://dworaczek-bendome.org/v2/2018/03/centrafrique-reprise-de-la-sous-prefecture-de-rafai-par-les-anti-balaka-la-ville-de-bakouma-menacee/|title=Centrafrique : reprise de la sous-préfecture de Rafaï par les Anti-balaka, la ville de Bakouma menacée|date=6 March 2018|access-date=19 June 2020|archive-date=22 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622113019/https://dworaczek-bendome.org/v2/2018/03/centrafrique-reprise-de-la-sous-prefecture-de-rafai-par-les-anti-balaka-la-ville-de-bakouma-menacee/|url-status=dead}} On 26 March 2021 it was reported that 14 rebels with automatic weapons were stationed near centre of Rafaï.{{cite web|url=https://ndjonisango.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/La-statistique-et-donnees-des-appels-1320-dans-chaque-region-de-la-RCA-.pdf|title=La-statistique-et-donnees-des-appels-1320-dans-chaque-region-de-la-RCA|quote=Les rebelles sont dans la brousse a 7km de RAFAI centre,ils sont au nombre de 14 armes avec de ak47 et deux avait des lances roquettes|access-date=2024-05-21|archive-date=2023-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127152013/https://ndjonisango.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/La-statistique-et-donnees-des-appels-1320-dans-chaque-region-de-la-RCA-.pdf|url-status=live}} On 30 October armed forces returned to Rafai after eight years of absence.[https://www.radiondekeluka.org/actualites/securite/37681-centrafrique-les-faca-de-retour-a-rafai-apres-huit-ans-d-absence.html Centrafrique : les Faca de retour à Rafaï après huit ans d’absence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418180322/https://www.radiondekeluka.org/actualites/securite/37681-centrafrique-les-faca-de-retour-a-rafai-apres-huit-ans-d-absence.html |date=2023-04-18 }}, 2 November 2021
Transport
{{main|Rafaï Airport}}
Rafaï has a small civilian airport with a 4,249 foot unpaved runway.
Notes
{{Reflist}}
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{{Sub-prefectures of the Central African Republic}}
{{Mbomou}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rafai}}
Category:Sub-prefectures of the Central African Republic
Category:Populated places in Mbomou
{{CentralAfricanRepublic-geo-stub}}