Ze Complete History of the Azandé Ani Kpi Gbé (AAKG) Militia

By Karine ALLOUCHE | LAMINE MEDIA

(Bangui, August 6, 2026 | LNC) The Azandé Ani Kpi Gbé (AAKG) militia—whose name means "many Zandé have died" in the Zandé language—operates in the Haut-Mbomou region of southeastern Central African Republic (CAR). Once allied with the government (which utilized local self-defense groups to re-establish authority in the most isolated areas) and with Russian mercenaries, the group is now acting independently and has plunged the region into chaos and bloodshed. This rift exposes the limitations of the government's strategy. Established in 2023 with the support of Central African authorities, the militia received military training from Russian mercenaries—to the point of calling themselves the "Black Russians"—and fought alongside the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) in offensives against the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC), a faction of the former Séléka coalition. Leveraging their knowledge of the terrain, these militiamen helped retake several localities, fostering a relative return to calm in a region long ravaged by violence from rebel groups and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). However, this cooperation gradually deteriorated, largely due to the failure to pay promised wages or to integrate the fighters into the regular army. Feeling abandoned after having contributed to the region's reconquest, the AAKG turned against the state. Consequently, since late 2024, clashes between the AAKG and FACA forces—backed by Wagner mercenaries—have become commonplace. The crisis reached its peak on December 28, 2025, in Bambouti, with the abduction of four officials—including Sub-Prefect Koumba Ndiaye—an act attributed to the AAKG. However, unlike the Church, Bangui refuses to negotiate with the group, favoring instead a military response that has proven ineffective. In late July, members of parliament called for the hostages' release while expressing concern for the civilian population, who are caught in the crossfire and facing forced displacement and attacks by other armed groups. Meanwhile, despite support from Russian Wagner mercenaries, the government continues to struggle to enforce its military solution—and thus establish lasting authority—in this remote, landlocked region far from Bangui.

Thanks to the LAMINE MEDIA History Department for the information, and to the "Chief" for proofreading and correcting any typos.

LNC

Date: August 6, 2026

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