The unexplained disappearance of Armel Mingatouloum Sayo, a former Central African minister and rebel leader, has sparked mounting tensions in Bangui, as his family, lawyers, and human rights groups demand proof he is alive.
Sayo, arrested in May after being extradited from Cameroon, was being held at the high-security Camp De Roux military facility on charges of endangering state security.
According to his relatives, he was secretly removed from his cell between July 15 and 17, and no one has seen or heard from him since.
Authorities claim he was transferred for questioning but have blocked all contact with his family and legal counsel.
Speculation intensified when videos circulated on social media showing a man resembling Sayo lying bloodied and motionless.
The images, which quickly went viral, provoked widespread outrage. Government spokesman Maxime Balalou dismissed the footage as “crude montages” created by “artificial intelligence,” accusing “enemies of the nation” of spreading disinformation.
Balalou insisted Sayo remains alive, under state custody, and receiving medical care.
Without concrete evidence or access, however, public distrust is deepening. Sayo’s lawyer, who says he has been unable to meet his client for over a month, has appealed to the president of the bar for intervention.
Sayo’s controversial history has only intensified the spotlight. The former commander of the RJ (Revolution and Justice) armed group briefly served as Minister of Youth and Sports in a transitional government before resuming rebellion.
His arrest earlier this year reignited debate over how Bangui treats former allies who turn dissident, and now, his disappearance is fueling accusations of enforced disappearance and state abuse.
For the Central African government, the case is rapidly becoming a test of credibility and commitment to the rule of law. Human rights organizations are demanding immediate proof of life, unrestricted access to Sayo, and a transparent investigation into his whereabouts.
As the government remains silent, rumors and anger are spreading through Bangui, threatening to further undermine public trust in institutions at a time when the country’s fragile stability hangs in the balance.
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