Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC, french: Unité pour la paix en Centrafrique) is a rebel group in the

Central African Republic The Central African Republic (CAR; ; , RCA; , or , ) is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan to the northeast, South Sudan to the southeast, the DR Congo to the south, the Republic of th ...

which controls southern parts of the country.

History

UPC was formed on 17 September 2014 by

Ali Darassa Ali Darassa Mahamat (born 22 September 1978), also known as Ali Nassaraza Darassa, Ali Daras, and Ali Ndarass is a Nigerian leader of the Central African rebel group, the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC), which is dominant ...

from ex-Séléka elements. Their initial headquarters was Bambari, however they were forced to retreat on 6 March 2017. On 10 January 2019, they launched a heavy attack on MINUSCA forces in Bambari vowing to recapture the city. They were repelled and in response Portuguese paratroopers raided their base in Bokolobo seizing some weapons and destroying some checkpoints. On 17 December 2020, the UPC joined the

Coalition of Patriots for Change The Coalition of Patriots for Change (''Coalition des patriotes pour le changement'') is a coalition of major rebel groups in the Central African Republic created in 2020 to disrupt the 2020–21 Central African general election. Background O ...

War crimes

On 29 January 2019 18 people were killed and 23 wounded when UPC fighters opened fire during a funeral ceremony in

Ippy The Independent Publisher Book Awards, also styled the IPPY Awards, are a set of annual book awards for independently published titles. They are the longest-running unaffiliated contest open exclusively to independent presses. The IPPY Awards ar ...

. Between 2016 and 2020 UPC killed more than 1300 people. On 6 october 2021 34 civilians were killed by alleged UPC rebels in

Matchika massacre On 6 October 2021 34 civilians were murdered in attack on Matchka village in the Central African Republic. Attack On 5 October 2021 around 12:00 a 18-wheeler truck carrying passengers and goods

Organization

UPC used to profit from gold and diamond mines in areas it controls including the

Ndassima Ndassima is a gold mine in Ouaka preferecture in Central African Republic The Central African Republic (CAR; ; , RCA; , or , ) is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan to the northeast, Sou ...

mine, which they share control with the FPRC. They also profited from controlling cattle markets in

Mobaye Mobaye is a settlement with a population of 7,176 (2003 census) in the Basse-Kotto prefecture of Central African Republic. It lies on the Ubangi River. History On 8 February 2013 Mobaye was captured by Séléka rebels. In September 2019 Mob ...

and

Kouango Kouango is a town located in the Central African Republic prefecture of Ouaka. History In February 2013 Kouango was captured by Séléka Séléka CPSK-CPJP-UFDR was an alliance of rebel militia groups that subjugated the Central African ...

References

{{Reflist Factions of the Central African Republic Civil War Rebel groups in the Central African Republic Rebel groups that actively control territory