The Vigilantes of KM5
The last standing Muslim militia in Bangui.
The KM5 neighborhood in Bangui is the last standing Muslim quarter inside the Central African Republic's capital. There, a self-proclaimed militia by the name of Auto-Defense Forces of PK5, also known as 50/50, has taken control of the area with a force 1.800-men strong.
The militia, who claims to protect both Muslim and Christian communities and was in charge of protecting Pope Francis during his visit to the neighborhood in 2015, uses magic and magical items known as gri-gri to protect themselves from their main enemies: the Christian anti-balaka militias. Magic and an extreme view of Islam don?t often go together, but the Auto-Defense Force of PK5 lead by the Commanders Force Animeri and Yousuff Ahmad, are absolutely convinced that these magical elements are producing supernatural effects and miracles that are key for the militia existence.
In 2016, after abandoning its alliance with the Muslim Seleka groups now in power and controlling the country?s government, the Auto-Defense Force of PK5 became isolated. According to its leaders it's they represent the last line of defense of the Muslims living at the KM5 neighborhood, where they patrol on a daily basis looking for anti-balaka elements.
The Central African Republic government has accused the militia of crimes against the Christian community and their own Muslim brothers. Seen as outlaws by the Muslim Seleka groups and the international military forces posted in Bangui, the militia often confronts the United Nation peacekeepers and the Sangaris, the French military mission in the country, accusing them of supporting the Christian anti-balaka militias. Moreover, the UN and the foreign military forces have accused the militia of being funded and having ties to the Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram.
According to their Commander "this is the first time that a foreign photographer has had access to their activities, patrols and daily life".
The Vigilantes of KM5
The last standing Muslim militia in Bangui.
The KM5 neighborhood in Bangui is the last standing Muslim quarter inside the Central African Republic's capital. There, a self-proclaimed militia by the name of Auto-Defense Forces of PK5, also known as 50/50, has taken control of the area with a force 1.800-men strong.
The militia, who claims to protect both Muslim and Christian communities and was in charge of protecting Pope Francis during his visit to the neighborhood in 2015, uses magic and magical items known as gri-gri to protect themselves from their main enemies: the Christian anti-balaka militias. Magic and an extreme view of Islam don?t often go together, but the Auto-Defense Force of PK5 lead by the Commanders Force Animeri and Yousuff Ahmad, are absolutely convinced that these magical elements are producing supernatural effects and miracles that are key for the militia existence.
In 2016, after abandoning its alliance with the Muslim Seleka groups now in power and controlling the country?s government, the Auto-Defense Force of PK5 became isolated. According to its leaders it's they represent the last line of defense of the Muslims living at the KM5 neighborhood, where they patrol on a daily basis looking for anti-balaka elements.
The Central African Republic government has accused the militia of crimes against the Christian community and their own Muslim brothers. Seen as outlaws by the Muslim Seleka groups and the international military forces posted in Bangui, the militia often confronts the United Nation peacekeepers and the Sangaris, the French military mission in the country, accusing them of supporting the Christian anti-balaka militias. Moreover, the UN and the foreign military forces have accused the militia of being funded and having ties to the Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram.
According to their Commander "this is the first time that a foreign photographer has had access to their activities, patrols and daily life".
