Cantonnier Explained

Official Name:Cantonnier
Pushpin Map:Central African Republic
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Central African Republic
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Central African Republic
Subdivision Name1:Nana-Mambéré
Subdivision Type2:Sub-prefecture
Subdivision Name2:Baboua
Subdivision Type3:Commune
Subdivision Name3:Koundé
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population Blank1 Title:Ethnicities
Population Blank2 Title:Religions
Coordinates:5.9089°N 14.5589°W

Cantonnier is a border town situated near Cameroon–Central African Republic border in Nana-Mambéré Prefecture.

History

French troops entered Cantonnier in December 2013.[1] In January 2014, Anti-balaka captured Cantonnier from Seleka group.[2] MISCA forces clashed with Anti-balaka on 11 February 2014, killing two militias and six civilians.[3] A clash between self-defense group and Anti-balaka occurred in the town on 23 August 2014 due to the Anti-balaka's harassment towrds town residents. One Anti-balaka member and a woman were killed.[4]

MINUSCA forces attacked Anti-balaka in Cantonnier on 19 November 2014 after the failed disarmament attempt of the militia. Seven people were killed and dozens injured. The town residents fled to Béloko. Afterward, MINUSCA took control of the town.[5] Nevertheless, Anti-balaka entered the town again and erected four checkpoint in it, which were dismantled on 14 January 2016 by MINUSCA and gendarmerie.[6]

CPC captured Cantonnier along with Béloko on 23 December 2020, causing the residents fleeing to Cameroon.[7] CPC then retreated from Cantonnier on 30 December.[8] On 11 February 2021 morning, joint FACA, Wagner and RDF forces seized the town from rebels.[9]

Territorial issues

Cantonnier is facing territorial issues and a buffer zone dispute with Cameroon. Two neighborhoods, Sango and Pétévo neighborhoods, were under Cameroon control, and Cameroon citizens dwelled in Cantonnier.[10] In January 2023, the town residents held a demonstration against the construction of the Cameroon administrative office in the disputed buffer zone and later it was stopped. Previously, Cameroon attempted to build an administrative office in the disputed buffer zone, which then halted due to an order from Jean-Serge Bokassa.[11]

Economy

The town has a market.[12] Trade is the main economic activity in the town.[13]

Education

There is a primary school in Cantonnier. However, no high schools are available in the town; hence elementary school graduates who want to enroll in high school have to go to either Bouar or Baboua.[14]

Healthcare

Cantonnier has one health center.[15]

Media

There is a radio station in Cantonnier which is Radio Lagbata.[16]

Security

The town has a police and gendarmerie office.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ndeke Luka . Ndeke Luka . Calme précaire à Bangui, psychose dans certaines villes, les français bientôt opérationnels . radiondekeluka.org . Radio Ndeke Luka . 5 January 2024.
  2. Weyns. Yannick. Hoex. Lotte. Hilgert. Filip. Spittaels. Steven. November 2014. Mapping Conflict Motives: The Central African Republic. 45. 5 January 2024.
  3. Web site: Radio Siriri . Radio Siriri . Centrafrique : Combats à Cantonnier dans la Nana Mambéré . radiosiriri.org . Radio Siriri . 5 January 2024.
  4. Web site: Andang . Tiras . RCA: Les jeunes de Baboua constitués en Autodefenses et les Anti-Balaka s’affrontent, dejà 2 morts . corbeaunews-centrafrique.org . Corbeau News Centrafrique . 5 January 2024.
  5. Web site: Ngaba . Eric . Centrafrique: au moins 7 morts dans un violent affrontement entre les Anti-Balaka et les forces de la Minusca . corbeaunews-centrafrique.org . Corbeau News Centrafrique . 5 January 2024.
  6. Web site: Yaimane . Firmin . Des Anti-Balaka de Cantonnier délogés par des forces nationales et internationales . centrafrique-presse.over-blog.com. RJDH . 5 January 2024.
  7. Web site: Moloma . Gisèle . RCA : les villes frontalières de Béloko et de Cantonnier aux mains des rebelles du CPC . corbeaunews-centrafrique.org . Corbeau News Centrafrique . 5 January 2024.
  8. Web site: Lenga . Gervais . RCA : les rebelles se retirent des deux villes frontalières avec le Cameroun . corbeaunews-centrafrique.org . Corbeau News Centrafrique . 5 January 2024.
  9. Web site: Lenga . Gervais . RCA : les soldats FACA et leurs alliés russes et rwandais ont repris la ville de cantonnier, à la frontière avec le Cameroun . corbeaunews-centrafrique.org . Corbeau News Centrafrique . 5 January 2024.
  10. Web site: Ndeke Luka . Ndeke Luka . Nana-Mambéré: Cameroon encroaches on Central African territory according to local testimonies . radiondekeluka.org . Radio Ndeke Luka . 5 January 2024.
  11. Web site: Ndeke Luka . Ndeke Luka . Cantonnier: tension entre la RCA et le Cameroun sur la zone tampon . radiondekeluka.org . Radio Ndeke Luka . 5 January 2024.
  12. Web site: Gassawi . Emmanuel . Le défi de l’organisation urbaine à Cantonnier : Centralisation contre Expansion . corbeaunews-centrafrique.org . Corbeau News Centrafrique . 5 January 2024.
  13. Web site: Gassawi . Emmanuel . Cantonnier : Quand les Frontières Tarifent la Vie Quotidienne . corbeaunews-centrafrique.org . Corbeau News Centrafrique . 5 January 2024.
  14. Web site: Lenga . Gervais . Lutte pour l’Éducation : Béloko et Cantonnier Demandent un Collège . corbeaunews-centrafrique.org . Corbeau News Centrafrique . 5 January 2024.
  15. 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. Y. 5 January 2024.
  16. Web site: Lenga . Gervais . Annonçons la création : L’éveil de la radio communautaire Lagbata 100.5 FM à Cantonnier . corbeaunews-centrafrique.org . Corbeau News Centrafrique . 13 January 2024.

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