Hearings in the "affaire Guen" before the Special Criminal Court in Bangui are continuing, with a significant session dedicated to the interrogation of Edmond Beïna on Tuesday, June 2. Beïna is presented as the chief of an Antibalaka group that reportedly came from Tédoua, located in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture, with the explicit purpose of fighting Séléka elements present in Guen. During his testimony before the court, Beïna provided an account of his arrest, explaining that he was taken into custody by the Central African police while he was shopping at the local Tédoua market.
Denial of Antibalaka Role and Activities
Edmond Beïna, the accused, vehemently denied any involvement in the specific events he is charged with. He also refuted any belonging to the Antibalaka movement, despite the accusations against him. Beïna acknowledged that Antibalaka elements were, in fact, already present in the region before his arrival in Guen. However, he maintained his distance from their activities, claiming he traveled to Guen alone and on foot. He further stated that he carried only an artisanal weapon, suggesting a lack of sophisticated military involvement. Beïna explicitly stated to the court that he knows nothing about the organizational structure of Antibalaka groups, their operational bases, or their methods of financing. He asserted that he possessed no information regarding how these groups were organized or sustained.
Contradictory Accounts of Arrival in Guen
A key point of contention during the proceedings revolved around Edmond Beïna's reasons for being in Guen. He testified in court that he traveled to Guen solely to join his second wife and child. This statement directly contradicted earlier accounts he provided during the initial investigation phases. Previously, Beïna had informed investigators that he came to Guen at the specific request of an individual named Jeudi, who was identified as the chief of an Antibalaka group actively engaged in conflict with Séléka elements. During these earlier hearings, Beïna had also mentioned the existence of a base located at Bangara's residence, implying a more organized presence. He had stated that Paul, described as a leader within the group, was responsible for collecting funds from the local population, which were then used to purchase ammunition for the group's activities. These discrepancies formed a central part of the court's questioning.
Mystical Practices and Denials
The court additionally addressed the sensitive issue of mystical vaccination of combatants during the proceedings, a practice often associated with armed groups in the region. Records from Edmond Beïna's interrogation indicated that elements within the group were vaccinated by an individual named François Boybanda. However, when questioned before the court, Beïna denied any knowledge of such vaccinations. He firmly stated that he was never vaccinated himself and maintained that he did not know any marabout associated with the group, thereby disassociating himself from these mystical practices.
Court Proceedings to Resume
The court hearing was suspended following the extensive testimony of Edmond Beïna. Proceedings are scheduled to resume on Thursday, June 4, when the interrogation of the accused is expected to continue. The court aims to further clarify the conflicting statements and gather more information regarding the "affaire Guen."
