Authorities arrested Quentin Claver Ngouando, Élysée Nguemale, Steve Francis Bendo Ndeny, Barry Mardios, and Igor Mokpem on 15 October 2026. These detentions occurred following a 'Ville morte' protest held on 12 October 2026. The demonstrations took place in Bangui and other localities across the country. Legal representatives have been denied access to the five individuals since their apprehension. The arrests of these five individuals, specifically Quentin Claver Ngouando, Élysée Nguemale, Steve Francis Bendo Ndeny, Barry Mardios, and Igor Mokpem, were carried out on October 15, 2026, marking a significant development following the civil unrest observed earlier that month. The 'Ville morte' protest held on October 12, 2026, in Bangui and other localities had previously served as a focal point for the authorities' subsequent actions.
Details of Recent Arrests
Steve Francis Bendo Ndeny remains in custody at the central police station in Bangui. Authorities continue to hold the individual at this facility following his arrest on 15 October 2026. This specific detention location, the central police station in Bangui, is where Steve Francis Bendo Ndeny is currently being held.
Quentin Claver Ngouando, Élysée Nguemale, Barry Mardios, and Igor Mokpem are currently detained at the Compagnie nationale de sécurité (CNS). These four detainees were transferred to the facility after their apprehension during the events surrounding the 12 October 2026 protests. The four detainees are held at the Compagnie nationale de sécurité (CNS) under the current administrative arrangements. Legal counsel for the detainees has not been granted entry to either the central police station or the Compagnie nationale de sécurité (CNS) to meet with their clients.
Legal Representation and Access
A collective of twelve lawyers formally notified the prosecutor of the Bangui High Court of their legal representation regarding the detained individuals on 16 October 2026. This group of legal practitioners sought to establish formal contact with their clients following the arrests made on 15 October 2026. On October 16, 2026, the collective of twelve lawyers officially notified the prosecutor of the Bangui High Court regarding their formal representation of the five detainees.
Lawyers Nicolas Tiangaye, Bruno Hyacinthe Gbiegbа, and Becossor Feidangai attempted to visit the detention facilities on 17 October 2026. Security services at the sites refused to permit the attorneys entry to meet with the detainees. On October 17, 2026, lawyers Nicolas Tiangaye, Bruno Hyacinthe Gbiegbа, and Becossor Feidangai were denied access to their clients by security services at the respective facilities. During these encounters, the lawyers were informed by security personnel that high-level state authorities had issued specific instructions prohibiting any contact with the five individuals held in custody. The lawyers were explicitly informed that high-level state authorities had issued these instructions prohibiting any contact with the detainees.
The collective of lawyers issued a statement regarding the denial of access, declaring that it "dénonce une grave atteinte aux droits de la défense et au libre exercice de leur profession." The legal team remains unable to provide counsel to Quentin Claver Ngouando, Élysée Nguemale, Steve Francis Bendo Ndeny, Barry Mardios, and Igor Mokpem while these restrictions persist.