Hidden Bodies in Bangui
The remains were missing their skulls.
It’s a common discovery in Central African Republic. Nearly 18 months after violence between militant Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups has subsided in the capital, hundreds of unidentified corpses remain rotting in watery graves.
Dead bodies stuffed into neighborhood wells by militants poison the water table and confuse the United Nations body count as the Transitional Government Council pushes reconciliation between militants across the country.
The U.N. currently estimates that 3,000 to 6,000 people died during the country’s conflict, which erupted in 2013. Hidden bodies and mass graves in remote areas of the countryside account for the imprecise figures, U.N. spokesperson Hamadoun Toure said.
See the full story at http://warisboring.com/articles/hundreds-of-dead-bodies-rot-in-bangui-wells/
Bone Collector
Neighbors crowd around the pile of human bones being sprayed after they were dredged from a well in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Saturday, August 1, 2015. According to local witnesses, the victims were killed 18-months ago in violence between Muslim Ex-Seleka and Christian Anti-Balaka groups, then their bodies were stuffed down the well.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Joblessness
A boy sells hard boiled eggs under a sign promoting peace between Christians and Muslims in Bangui on Saturday, July 25, 2015. Widespread joblessness has been blamed for the ease with which militant groups recruited youth to massacre each other after the 2013 coup.
banguiCARcentral african republicwarconflictselekaantibalaka
Bag of Bones
Bag of Bones: A worker arranges the bones plucked from a football jersey that was found in a drinking well in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Saturday, August 1, 2015. According to local witnesses, the victim was killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups then hidden in the well.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked to be exhumed by international organizations in Bangui and throughout the Central African Republic. CAR continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Suited-up
A worker from the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) prepares to lower himself into a well in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Friday, July 31, 2015 to search for the remains of three to four people who were killed and hidden inside. According to local witnesses, the victims were killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups, then their bodies were stuffed down the well.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Toxic
A worker lowers combs through dirt for human remains in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Tuesday, July 28, 2015. According to local witnesses, people killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups, were stuffed down the village well.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Bone Collector 2
A worker arranges the bones of three or possibly four people that were dredged from a drinking well in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Saturday, August 1, 2015. According to local witnesses, the victims were killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups, then their bodies were stuffed down the well.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Headlights
Workers from the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) prepare to work into the night in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Friday, July 31, 2015. The search for the remains of three to four people who were killed and hidden inside the well lasted for nearly a week. According to local witnesses, the victims were killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups, then their bodies were stuffed down the well.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Ruins 6
A boy peers through an overgrown house destroyed months ago by militant Seleka groups in Bangui's Kilometer-5 district on Wednesday, July 15, 2015. Most residents of the Central African Republic's embattled capital expect rebel groups to reappear around the time of the October elections.
BanguiCentral African RepublicSelekaAntiBalakaChristianMuslimIslamwar
Grave 3
High grass obscures the grave of a victim of violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups on Thursday, July 16, 2015 in the village of Nzila in the Central African Republic. Remote areas outside the capital of Bangui were popular execution sites. Many Nzila residents expect rebel groups to reappear around the time of the October elections.
BanguiCentral African RepublicSelekaAntiBalakaChristianMuslimIslamwar
Gris-Gris
A woman squeezes the blood of a sacrificed chicken around a well in Bangui's Kilometer-5 district on Friday, July 31, 2015. Non-governmental organisations estimate hundreds of bodies have been hidden in wells across the Central African Republic.
Local magic rituals delayed the exhumation of this particular well for days.
Into the Night
A worker lowers himself into a well in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Saturday, August 1, 2015 searching for the remains of three to four people who were killed and hidden inside. According to local witnesses, the victims were killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups, then their bodies were stuffed down the well.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Bangui's Hidden Corpses
A worker lowers himself into a well in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Saturday, August 1, 2015 searching for the remains of three to four people who were killed and hidden inside. According to local witnesses, the victims were killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups, then their bodies were stuffed down the well.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Closed Well
An exhumation team member climbs out of a well in Bangui's Kilometer-5 district on Tuesday, July 24, 2015. The bodies of hundreds of victims of the sectarian violence of 2013 and 2014 have been stuffed into drinking wells across the Central African Republic. Remains of at least three people were found in this well, the first to be exhumed in the country.
Grave 12
Bottle caps form a cross on the grave of a victim of violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups on Thursday, July 16, 2015 in the village of Nzila in the Central African Republic. Remote areas outside the capital of Bangui were popular execution sites. Many Nzila residents expect rebel groups to reappear around the time of the October elections.
BanguiCentral African RepublicSelekaAntiBalakaChristianMuslimIslamwar
Begoa Well
Children migrate past an unused well in Begoa on Friday, July 24, 2015. The district chief estimated that at least 17 wells across the Bangui suburb have been closed because they are clogged with corpses. Begoa lies just beyond the capitals city limit, where international organisations like the Red Cross lack facilities.
banguiCARcentral african republicwarconflictselekaantibalaka
Garbage Fire
A man burns debris in on the roadside in Bangui on on Saturday, July 25, 2015.
Shallow Graves 24
Sardine cans adorn the grave of a victim of violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups on Thursday, July 16, 2015 in the village of Nzila in the Central African Republic. Remote areas outside the capital of Bangui were popular execution sites. In the CAR its common to decorate graves with things the decease enjoyed. Many Nzila residents expect rebel groups to reappear around the time of the October elections.
BanguiCentral African RepublicSelekaAntiBalakaChristianMuslimIslamwar
Gris-Gris 2
A woman squeezes the blood of a sacrificed chicken around a well in Bangui's Kilometer-5 district on Friday, July 31, 2015. Non-governmental organisations estimate hundreds of bodies have been hidden in wells across the Central African Republic.
Local magic rituals, known as gris-gris delayed the exhumation of this particular well for days.
Shallow Graves 30
Colourful flowers adorn the grave of a victim of violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups on Thursday, July 16, 2015 in the village of Nzila in the Central African Republic. Remote areas outside the capital of Bangui were popular execution sites. In the CAR its common to decorate graves with things the deceased enjoyed. Many Nzila residents expect rebel groups to reappear around the time of the October elections.
BanguiCentral African RepublicSelekaAntiBalakaChristianMuslimIslamwar
Human Jaw Bone
A human jaw bone lies in the grass just outside Bangui's Kilometer-5 district on Wednesday, July 15, 2015. The bodies of hundreds of victims of the sectarian violence of 2013 and 2014 have been stuffed into drinking wells or buried in shallow graves across the Central African Republic.
Bangui
A cup and wine bottle adorn the grave of a victim of violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups on Thursday, July 16, 2015 in the village of Nzila in the Central African Republic. Remote areas outside the capital of Bangui were popular execution sites. Many Nzila residents expect rebel groups to reappear around the time of the October elections.
BanguiCentral African RepublicSelekaAntiBalakaChristianMuslimIslamwar
Gris-Gris 3
A woman squeezes the blood of a sacrificed chicken around a well in Bangui's Kilometer-5 district on Friday, July 31, 2015. Non-governmental organisations estimate hundreds of bodies have been hidden in wells across the Central African Republic.
Local magic rituals, known as gris-gris, delayed the exhumation of this particular well for days.
Bangui
Dried flowers adorn the grave of a victim of violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups on Thursday, July 16, 2015 in the village of Nzila in the Central African Republic. Remote areas outside the capital of Bangui were popular execution sites. Many Nzila residents expect rebel groups to reappear around the time of the October elections.
BanguiCentral African RepublicSelekaAntiBalakaChristianMuslimIslamwar
Graves 1
A rosary adorns the grave of a victim of violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups on Thursday, July 16, 2015 in the village of Nzila in the Central African Republic. Remote areas outside the capital of Bangui were popular execution sites. Many Nzila residents expect rebel groups to reappear around the time of the October elections.
BanguiCentral African RepublicSelekaAntiBalakaChristianMuslimIslamwar
Scarred by Conflict
Ramon Yoro, 43 poses for a photo in Bangui's Kilometer-5 district on Friday, July 17, 2015. Yoro was attacked by three Seleka militants on his way home from a prayer group last year. He was shot in the mouth and the stomach and left for dead.
Central African RepublicwarconflictSelekaAntiBalakainternationalcrisisscars
Ruins 4
Claymore Suango sits on the broken wall of a home destroyed in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups in Bangui's Kilometer-5 district on Wednesday, July 15, 2015. Most residents of the Central African Republic's embattled capital expect rebel groups to reappear around the time of the October elections.
BanguiCentral African RepublicSelekaAntiBalakaChristianMuslimIslamwar
Seleka
Disenfranchised Seleka men gather for a bread and butter lunch in Bangui's Camp Beal on Thursday, July 16, 2015. The former French Army post now hosts dozens of homeless Seleka men and their families. Members of the militant group have had their homes destroyed by Anti-Balaka militants or have been threatened out of their neighbourhoods. Most residents of the Central African Republic's embattled capital expect rebel groups to reappear around the time of the October elections.
BanguiCentral African RepublicSelekaAntiBalakaChristianMuslimIslamwar
Night Dig
Villagers gather around a drinking well in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Friday, July 31, 2015. According to local witnesses, the victims hidden inside it were killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Night Dig 2
Villagers gather around a drinking well in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Friday, July 31, 2015. According to local witnesses, the victims hidden inside it were killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Bound and Killed
Workers display a rope used to confine the arms of one of the people whose remains were dredged from a well in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Friday, July 31, 2015. According to local witnesses, the victims hidden inside it were killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Night Find
Workers for the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) examine the bones of three or possibly four people that were dredged from a drinking well in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Friday, July 31, 2015. According to local witnesses, the victims were killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups, then their bodies were stuffed down the well.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
Bangui's Hidden Corpses
Workers for the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) examine the bones of three or possibly four people that were dredged from a drinking well in Bangui's Kilometre-5 district on Friday, July 31, 2015. According to local witnesses, the victims were killed 18-months ago in violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups, then their bodies were stuffed down the well.
This was the first of hundreds of wells marked for exhumation by international organizations in Bangui. The Central African Republic continues to live in the shadow of the horrific violence between Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups that fractured the country in late 2013 through the spring of 2014.
