Central Africa pays state wages for first time in 6 months

BANGUI, Central African Republic – State officials in the Central African Republic were paid their first wage for six months on Monday, March 10 a small sign of normality in a country that has been paralyzed by war for over a year.

On Monday, huge lines of state employees, impatient for their first pay packets since September 2013, formed outside the major banks in the capital Bangui.

“Better one month than nothing. We’re barely living,” paramedic Jean Nguelebo told AFP.

“If the government makes the effort, we may be able to get one or two more months — if the treasury allows.”

French President Francois Hollande said that state employees’ salaries would be paid quickly via agents in other countries during a visit to Bangui on February 28.

The Central African Republic has been torn apart by bloody sectarian clashes since the mostly Muslim Seleka rebels ousted president Francois Bozize in March 2013 and replaced him with their leader Michel Djotodia, who was himself forced out in January.

A group of UN-mandated investigators said Monday they will launch a probe into human rights violations in the conflict-ravaged country amid fears of genocide and ethnic cleansing.

The crisis has paralyzed the country’s administration, starting with its public finances, which has crippled the state’s ability to pay its employees. – Rappler.com