Residents of Bozèrè-Baly, located 24 kilometers from Bangui on the Boali axis, are protesting the continued use of a local site for the incineration of human remains. The community has expressed growing alarm regarding the frequency and nature of these activities occurring within their immediate vicinity. Gauthier Yoyo, president of the youth of Bozèrè-Baly, stated, "Nous demandons au gouvernement de prêter une attention particulière à notre localité, car c’est là le véritable objet de notre plainte. En effet, les neuf ressortissants chinois qui avaient perdu la vie dans la brousse ont été incinérés ici. Un autre, qui avait été mortellement heurté par un véhicule, a également été incinéré au même endroit. Et il y a moins d’une semaine, un autre corps y a encore été incinéré." Cécile Bella, a resident, added, "Il faut que le Chef de l’Etat veille sur nous."
Community Health and Safety Concerns
An incineration occurred at the site less than one week before 19 October 2026. The recurring nature of these events has led to significant unrest among the local population, who cite concerns over the lack of regulation and the proximity of the site to their homes. Local resident Grand Bonheur stated, "Quand des ressortissants chinois venaient pour la première fois pour incinérer les corps de leurs proches ici, cela avait suscité des tensions entre eux et le chef de quartier. Par la suite, ils ont informé ce dernier que cette décision émanait du gouvernement. Après, ils ont pris contact avec certains jeunes de la localité, qui leur apportaient un soutien. En contrepartie, ces jeunes ont reçu une somme de 250 000 francs CFA à la fin des opérations." These payments provided to the group of young people were exchanged for their assistance with the incineration operations conducted at the site. The financial compensation of 250 000 francs CFA was distributed directly to those participating in the labor required for the disposal of the remains.
Demands for Site Relocation
Nine Chinese nationals who died in the bush were incinerated at the site in Bozèrè-Baly. Local accounts indicate these individuals were brought to the location following their deaths, where their remains underwent the incineration process. Additionally, a Chinese national who died in a vehicle accident was incinerated at the site, marking another instance of this practice being utilized in the area. The community remains firm in its demand that the site be relocated away from the residential zone of Bozèrè-Baly to prevent further health and safety risks.
The mairie de Bégoua confirmed the facts regarding these operations, acknowledging that the incineration activities have taken place within their jurisdiction. Officials from the mairie de Bégoua stated they would provide a formal response to the situation at a later time, as they continue to review the reports submitted by the residents of Bozèrè-Baly. The residents await this official response with the hope that the government will intervene to halt the use of the site for future incinerations.