European NGO Employee Detained In Central African Republic Over Security Concerns

Prosecutors in the Central African Republic have detained Martin Joseph Figueira, a European employee of the U.S.-based non-governmental organisation FHI 360, on suspicion of posing a threat to state security and seeking to incite revolt against security forces.

The public prosecutor in the capital Bangui announced on state television that Figueira, who holds Portuguese and Belgian passports, was detained on May 25 following an investigation. The specific charges were not disclosed, but he was accused of being in contact with armed groups.

Figueira’s detention was confirmed by a spokeswoman for FHI 360, who stated, “An FHI 360 consultant working to design a community development program went missing in Zemio, Central African Republic, on Sunday, May 26. We have confirmed that our consultant is now in the custody of the Central African Republic government. We have no further information to share at this time.”

A spokesperson for the Portuguese foreign ministry also confirmed the arrest over the weekend, stating that a Belgian-Portuguese citizen working for an American NGO “was arrested on suspicion of being involved in a plot against the regime.” The spokesperson also said that “The Portuguese government is monitoring the case, the No. 2 of the embassy in (the capital of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo) Kinshasa visited this citizen yesterday, as did the Honorary Consul of the Central African Republic. We also know that he’s been heard (by authorities). We await developments in the case.”

Central African Republic, one of the world’s poorest countries and a former French colony, has strengthened ties with Russia in recent years, hosting a significant presence of the Wagner Group mercenary army. While violence decreased after a peace accord in February 2019 between the government and 14 armed groups, the situation remains unstable with large areas still beyond government control.

Melissa Enoch

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