Two Cameroonian gendarmes arrested in the Central African Republic after a presumed incursion.

The two men were arrested on Saturday, August 1, while they were armed with Kalashnikovs in the village. Their presence was challenged by local residents, who accused them of extortion before alerting the Central African Armed Forces deployed in the area.

Videos circulated on social media show the two gendarmes moving through the village. The footage, filmed by local residents, contributed to the reactions surrounding this operation, which is considered illegal by the Central African side.

A Central African unit quickly intervened to halt their advance. The soldiers disarmed the two men before taking them to the police station in Beloko, located at the border with Cameroon.

An Engaged Dialogue to Prevent Escalation

The presence of the gendarmes was interpreted by Bangui as a violation of its national territory. To prevent the incident from escalating, security authorities from both Central Africa and Cameroon favored dialogue.

A high-level meeting was held on Tuesday between representatives from both countries. The discussions concluded in a calming atmosphere, with both capitals reaffirming their commitment to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each state.

The weapons seized during the arrest were returned to the Cameroonian gendarmerie. A follow-up committee was also established to ensure the resolution of the matter and to prevent new incidents in this sensitive area.

The border between the Central African Republic and Cameroon remains marked by long-standing disputes. For several decades, Central Africans have accused Cameroon of illegally occupying part of the border area, which Yaoundé denies.