The Central African Republic's Ministry of Defense announced a successful military operation against an Anti-Balaka group led by Marcel Nadelé on November 5, 2026. The operation took place in the Nana-Mambéré region, south of Pendéré. According to the ministry, nine members of the group, including Nadelé, were neutralized during the operation. The Forces armées centrafricaines (Faca) carried out the operation with support from Russian allies.
Marcel Nadelé, also known as Gbokaho Minang Sylvain and "Roi de la brousse," was targeted in the operation. His brother, Adamou Ndalé, and seven other fighters were also neutralized. The ministry accused Nadelé's group of committing violence in the region, including robberies, murders of gold miners, merchants, and other civilians. The group was allegedly planning attacks against government forces, local authorities, and trucks traveling from Cameroon on the Bouar-Béloko axis.
The Ministry of Defense claims that Nadelé was working in conjunction with Nourredine Adam, leader of the Front populaire pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique (FPRC). The ministry also alleges that the group planned to launch incursions into Cameroon to provoke tensions between the two countries and potentially close their borders. The military authorities assert that the situation is under control, but they will continue to conduct operations to prevent the regrouping of fleeing fighters.
The operation was hailed as a success by the Ministry of Defense, which accused Nadelé's group of terrorizing the region. The ministry's statement did not provide further details on the operation or the identities of the neutralized fighters. The military authorities have called on local residents to provide any information that could help ensure the security of the area.
The Central African Republic has been plagued by violence and instability in recent years, with various armed groups operating in the country. The government has been working to restore security and stability, with the help of international partners, including Russia. The operation against Nadelé's group is part of these efforts to combat armed groups and protect civilians.
The Ministry of Defense has announced that it will continue to conduct operations to prevent the regrouping of fleeing fighters. The authorities have also called on local residents to report any suspicious activity or information that could help ensure the security of the area. The situation in the Nana-Mambéré region remains a concern for the government and the international community.
The neutralization of Marcel Nadelé is seen as a significant blow to the Anti-Balaka group and a demonstration of the government's commitment to restoring security in the region. The government will likely face ongoing challenges in securing the country, but the operation against Nadelé's group is a positive step towards achieving stability.
Key points
- The Central African Republic's military, with Russian support, neutralized Anti-Balaka leader Marcel Nadelé and eight other fighters in an operation in the Nana-Mambéré region.
