Bangassou massacre

During May 2017, a massacre occurred in the Central African Republic town of Bangassou after Anti-balaka militias launched an attack in the area.

History
On 13 May 2017 around 600 to 700 Anti-balaka fighters entered Bangassou, attacking a MINUSCA base and a Muslim Tokoyo neighborhood. They started pillaging the city and attacking Muslim residents. More than 3,000 people escaped their homes seeking refugee in a hospital, cathedral and mosque. Anti-balaka besieged mosque sheltering more than 1,000 people. On 15 May MINUSCA forces managed to recapture key points in the city freeing hostages from mosque. In the following days more than 115 bodies were found in the city. One MINUSCA peacekeeper from Morocco was also killed.

Responsibility
On 7 February 2020, two and a half years after the clashes in Bangassou, five Anti-Balaka commanders and 23 militiamen were sentenced for years in prison. They were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms and murder.