Bangassou

Bangassou is a city in the south eastern Central African Republic, lying on the north bank of the Mbomou River. It has a population of 24,447[2] (2003 census) and is the capital of the Mbomou prefecture. It is known for its wildlife, market, and nearby Bangassou Airport and is linked by ferry to the Democratic Republic of Congo on the south bank. The city is also home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bangassou.

Bangassou
Central market in Bangassou
Central market in Bangassou
Bangassou is located in Central African Republic
Bangassou
Bangassou
Location in Central African Republic
Coordinates: 4.737425°N 22.819462°E / 4.737425; 22.819462
Country Central African Republic
PrefectureMbomou
Government
 • Sub-prefectAlbert Cyrille Maleyao[1]
Elevation
457 m (1,499 ft)
Population
 (2012)
 • Total35,305
 • Ethnicities
Azande people
 • Religions
Christianity and African Traditional Religion

Axmin Mining Camp and Kembé Falls are located in the area.

History
Rubber being bought by French men at Bangassou, 1906

During the French colonial occupation of Congo Free State, the French military established a base at Bangassou. In 1922 the Spiritains established a Catholic mission in the town. In 1931 the société cotonnière Comouna built a cotton processing plant in the town. In 1935 the town became the capital of the Department of Mbomou.

Together with Sibut, Bangassou received electricity in 1980.[3]

Civil war

On 11 March 2013 Seleka rebels occupied the town. On 10 October 2013 leader of Seleka fighters and 30 rebels who were occupying the town were arrested by authorities.[4] In May 2017 Anti-balaka attacked and for a few days occupied the town resulting in more than 100 deaths.

On January 3, 2021, rebel fighters backed by François Bozizé captured the town, according to MINUSCA.[5] They withdrew from the town on 16 January[6] and moved towards Niakari.[7]

Climate

Bangassou has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Although the dry season from December to February is very short and more typical of tropical monsoon climates, the lengthy wet season from March to November is not sufficiently wet to so qualify.

Climate data for Bangassou
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 34
(94)		 35
(95)		 34
(94)		 33
(92)		 33
(91)		 32
(89)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 32
(89)		 32
(89)		 33
(91)		 33
(91)		 33
(91)
Average low °C (°F) 18
(65)		 19
(66)		 20
(68)		 21
(69)		 21
(69)		 21
(69)		 20
(68)		 19
(67)		 19
(67)		 20
(68)		 19
(67)		 18
(65)		 19
(67)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 23
(0.9)		 43
(1.7)		 120
(4.7)		 140
(5.4)		 230
(9)		 180
(7.2)		 180
(7.2)		 210
(8.1)		 190
(7.6)		 260
(10.4)		 97
(3.8)		 38
(1.5)		 1,711
(67.5)
Source: Weatherbase[8]

References
  1. ""Bangassou a ce problème d'approvisionnement sur le marché local faute de route", indique Albert Cyrille Maleyao, sous-préfet de Bangassou". radiondekeluka.org. Radio Ndeke Luka. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  2. "Central African Republic: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population". World Gazetteer. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  3. Rius, Juan Fandos; Bradshaw, Richard (2016). Historical Dictionary of the Central African Republic. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 251. ISBN 9780810879928.
  4. Centrafrique: fin de razzia à Bangassou pour le colonel Abdallah
  5. "Rebels capture Central African diamond-mining city of Bangassou". France 24. January 4, 2021. At least five rebels were killed and two army soldiers wounded in the clashes in the Central African city of Bangassou, which lies on the southern border with Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA said in a statement.
  6. "les Casques bleus reprennent aux rebelles le contrôle de Bangassou". 17 January 2021.
  7. Letter dated 25 June 2021 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to resolution 2536 (2020) addressed to the President of the Security Council
  8. "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Bangassou, Central African Republic". Weatherbase. 2011. Retrieved on November 24, 2011.
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