Martin Ziguélé, president of the Mouvement de Libération du Peuple Centrafricain (MLPC) and a former Prime Minister, disclosed details this week of an incident in late February where a bulldozer deliberately drove into his convoy. Ziguélé was returning from the funeral of a party comrade in the south of the country when the construction vehicle, specifically a bulldozer, struck his motorcade. He described the action, stating, "C’était délibéré" (It was deliberate), firmly insisting that the act was deliberate. Ziguélé remarked, "Une procédure n’aboutirait jamais" (A procedure would never succeed), and added, "Nous devons rester vigilants dans cet écosystème" (We must remain vigilant in this ecosystem). He affirmed the party's resolve, declaring, "Nous ne sommes pas effrayés par l’arbitraire, nous nous battrons contre lui." (We are not afraid of arbitrariness, we will fight against it.)
Convoy Incident Details
A soldier reportedly directed Martin Ziguélé's convoy towards a freshly asphalted section of the avenue du 15 mars road, which had been open for only two or three days. At that point, a bulldozer emerged and proceeded directly towards Ziguélé's car, heading straight for his vehicle. The driver of the convoy vehicle reportedly braked and swerved, an action that limited the damage as the bulldozer embedded itself into the vehicle without causing serious injuries to anyone inside.
Following the incident, a gendarmerie report was established on site at the scene. Mr. Ziguélé refused to allow the vehicle to be towed by the company involved, opting instead to arrange for its towing by his own means. The incident currently remains without official judicial follow-up for now.
Political Context and Grievances
Martin Ziguélé has cited a pending complaint filed by the MLPC against individuals allegedly using the party's name fraudulently for three years before the Bangui High Court. This complaint has not yet been scheduled for a hearing. The MLPC leader stated, "Une procédure n’aboutirait jamais," explaining his decision not to pursue legal action regarding the convoy incident, believing that such a process would be fruitless. Ziguélé and his party comrades also decided against participating in the December 2025 presidential and legislative elections, asserting that the ballot would not comply with transparency and fairness rules. Ziguélé states that the incident occurs in a climate where brute force and physical threats have replaced the rule of law.
The Mouvement de Libération du Peuple Centrafricain, founded in 1979, faced a ban between 1982 and 1992. Ziguélé remarked, "Nous devons rester vigilants dans cet écosystème," in the wake of the incident, noting the ongoing challenges. He further declared, "Nous ne sommes pas effrayés par l’arbitraire, nous nous battrons contre lui."
Ziguélé's Stance and Resolve
Martin Ziguélé has consistently maintained that the incident was not accidental, stating, "C’était délibéré." The MLPC leader asserted that the ramming of his convoy occurs within a broader environment where legal processes are ineffective and physical threats have supplanted the rule of law. Ziguélé explained his decision not to pursue legal action for the convoy incident, believing that "Une procédure n’aboutirait jamais," and thus choosing not to pursue a formal complaint. The Mouvement de Libération du Peuple Centrafricain (MLPC) previously secured victory in the 1993 elections, marking a significant political achievement in its history. Despite the recent events, Ziguélé affirmed the party's determination, declaring, "Nous ne sommes pas effrayés par l’arbitraire, nous nous battrons contre lui," and added, "Nous devons rester vigilants dans cet écosystème."
