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Central African Republic: Remembering the missing

Broadcast United News Desk
Central African Republic: Remembering the missing

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This year, on 30 August, humanity is celebrating the International Day of the Missing. In the Central African Republic, where a large number of people have gone missing as a result of the military-political crisis, the ICRC is stepping up its efforts to restore family ties. Radio Ndeke Luka met a mother in Bangui who lost her only son in 2019.

Sitting under a mango tree at her home in Region 4, Gobongoth Ms. Lidwine Adoum, 50, was clearly saddened by the disappearance of her only son, Nelson, in 2019, when he was just 21. After overcoming her emotions, the grieving mother explained the facts.

‘We started to worry’

“My son ran away from home on April 3, 2019. He was a motorcycle taxi driver and did not return that day. We started to worry. The next morning, we called his concubine. She told us that her boyfriend was shopping at Km5 market and he was going to call her back. Something he had never done before. The deceased’s mother, Lidwine Adoum, testified.

After five years of searching, she finally lost hope that her son would return home and called on the government to pay special attention to the families of the missing.

“Do something for us”

“Despite the search, we still have not heard from Nelson today. However, we ask the government to understand our pain as mothers. Most importantly, do something for the families of the missing.” She called.

The ICRC is supporting more than 200 families in their search for relatives who have gone missing since 2013. “Since 2013, we have received 260 applicants, but their search results were all negative. We were able to develop the files and contact the applicants. After opening these files in 2020, we contacted the applicants. Some received good news and their contracts were restored. Others are still in pain and looking for their loved ones. said Amandine Ngario, head of the Family Relations Protection Unit at the ICRC.

Lidwin is one of several families who have been unable to locate relatives who went missing at the height of the crisis in the Central African Republic. Today, hundreds of thousands of people are missing around the world, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent. The reasons cited by the ICRC include armed conflict, natural disasters and migration.

The day was established by the United Nations in 1983 to draw public attention to the plight of victims of enforced disappearances. Armed conflict, natural disasters and migration are the main causes of disappearances.

– Also read: Central African Republic: Hundreds of families still hope to find missing relatives

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