Besson, Central African Republic

Besson is a village located in Nana-Mambéré Prefecture, Central African Republic. It is the capital of Gaudrot Commune.^[1] Peuhl herders from Chad and Cameroon often visit Besson.^[2]

Besson
Besson Location in Central African Republic
Coordinates: 6°15′45″N 14°48′57″E
Country	Central African Republic
Prefecture	Nana-Mambéré
Sub-prefecture	Baboua
Commune	Gaudrot

History

From March until September 2015, Besson was often attacked by armed groups. This resulted in the residents seeking refuge in Cameroon, Niem, and Baboua. However, as the situation improved in October and December 2015 due to the presence of MINUSCA and FACA, Besson refugees returned to their village.^[3]

3R Rebel group took control of Besson on 13 May 2020 by disarming the local gendarmerie.^[4] MINUSCA and FACA liberated Besson from 3R on 26 July 2020.^[5]

CPC rebels attacked Besson on 24 January 2023. The battle lasted for two hours and the government forces withdrew several kilometers away from the village. The rebels killed one FACA soldier and injured others. They also burned several houses in Besson. Later on, CPC retreated from the village. Due to the attack, the villagers fled Besson.^[6][7]

3R Rebels attacked Besson on 24 September 2023 in response to the arrest of two herders by Wagner and causing FACA soldiers to retreat to Baboua.^[8]

Demography

Mbororo makes up the majority of the Besson population.^[1]

Economy

Livestock farming and artisanal gold panning are the main sources of income for Besson residents.^[9]

Education

Besson has one primary school that was built in 1962. In 2014, armed groups occupied and destroyed the school equipment.^[10]

Healthcare

Besson has one health center.^[11]

References

1. Jaillon & de Brier 2019, p. 68.
2. IPIS, IPIS (August 2018). Central African Republic: A Conflict Mapping (PDF) (Report). International Peace Information Service. p. 71. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
4. Lenga, Gervais (14 May 2020). "RCA : le chef rebelle Abbas Sidiki en fuite, fait son retour en force dans le maquis". corbeaunews-centrafrique. Corbeaunews Centrafrique. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
5. Lenga, Gervais (28 July 2020). "RCA : la Minusca annonce avoir repris la ville de Besson aux rebelles de 3R". corbeaunews-centrafrique. Corbeaunews Centrafrique. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
6. Ndeke Luka, Nd. "Centrafrique : nouvelle attaque de la CPC contre une position de l'armée à Besson". radiondekeluka.org. Radio Ndeke Luka. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
7. Lenga, Gervais (24 January 2023). "Centrafrique : La ville de Besson, dans la Nana-Mambéré, attaquée par les rebelles, un soldat FACA tué". corbeaunews-centrafrique. Corbeaunews Centrafrique. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
8. Lenga, Gervais (24 September 2023). "Centrafrique : nouvelle attaque des positions des soldats FACA à Besson, débandade générale". corbeaunews-centrafrique.org. Corbeau News Centrafrique. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
9. Jaillon & de Brier 2019, p. 69.
10. OCHA, OCHA (25 February 2016). ERapport de mission inter agences à Besson et à Koundé Sous-préfecture de Baboua, préfecture de la Nana-Mambéré 23 au 25 février 2016 (PDF) (Report). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. p. 7. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
11. World Health Organization (March 2017). Enquête rapide sur l'estimation des besoins de santé des populations affectées par la crise en République Centrafricaine en 2016 (PDF) (Report). p. W. Retrieved 14 April 2023.

Bibliography

• Jaillon, Alexandre; de Brier, Guillaume (November 2019). Mapping artisanal mining sites in the Western Central African Republic (PDF) (Report). International Peace Information Service.