Peacekeeping and security forces concluded a mission to dismantle and monitor illegal roadblocks in the Mambéré-Kadéï prefecture on 14 October 2026. The operation took place over an 11-day period, beginning on 3 October 2026, to address concerns regarding unauthorized checkpoints hindering local transport and commerce.
Lieutenant-colonel Judicaël Zokokété Zigbi, who served as the head of the mission for the dismantling of illegal roadblocks, directed the field activities across the prefecture. During the deployment, he noted that the necessity for the operation arose from the persistent grievances of local residents regarding the impact of these barriers on their daily lives. Lieutenant-colonel Judicaël Zokokété Zigbi, chef de la mission du démantèlement des barrières illégales, stated, "Beaucoup de nos compatriotes se sont plaints."
The mission, which spanned the entirety of the Mambéré-Kadéï prefecture, focused on the identification and systematic removal of unauthorized structures that obstructed the flow of goods and people. Throughout the 11-day timeframe, security forces maintained a consistent presence to ensure that once these barriers were dismantled, they did not reappear. The strategic objective of this deployment was to restore freedom of movement for the local population and to facilitate the safe passage of commercial transport.
Lieutenant-colonel Judicaël Zokokété Zigbi emphasized that the operation was conducted in direct response to the reports received from the inhabitants of the region. By focusing on the Mambéré-Kadéï prefecture, the mission aimed to address the specific locations where unauthorized checkpoints had become most disruptive. The personnel involved in the mission were tasked with both the physical removal of the materials used to construct these roadblocks and the monitoring of transit routes to prevent the re-establishment of such obstacles.
The operation, which officially commenced on 3 October 2026, required coordination across various sectors of the Mambéré-Kadéï prefecture. As the head of the mission for the dismantling of illegal roadblocks, Lieutenant-colonel Judicaël Zokokété Zigbi oversaw the logistical requirements of the security forces tasked with clearing the roads. The mission concluded its activities on 14 October 2026, meeting its operational goals within the established 11-day period.
Throughout the duration of the mission, the focus remained on identifying the locations where illegal roadblocks were most frequently reported. The presence of these barriers had long been identified as a significant impediment to local commerce, and the mission sought to provide a permanent solution to these disruptions. By maintaining a monitoring presence, the security forces aimed to deter those responsible for the roadblocks from returning to the area.
The efforts led by Lieutenant-colonel Judicaël Zokokété Zigbi were designed to restore order to the transportation network within the Mambéré-Kadéï prefecture. The successful conclusion of the mission on 14 October 2026 marks the end of the current phase of the operation, which began on 3 October 2026. The systematic approach taken by the forces involved ensured that the prefecture’s primary routes were cleared of all unauthorized obstructions, thereby addressing the grievances expressed by local residents regarding their freedom of movement and access to essential services and trade.
