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Zemio | |
|---|---|
Sub-prefecture and town | |
 Zemio in August 2023 | |
 Sub-prefectures of Haut-Mbomou | |
  Zemio Location in the Central African Republic | |
| Coordinates:5°2′N25°8′E / 5.033°N 25.133°E /5.033; 25.133 | |
| Country |  Central African Republic |
| Prefecture | Haut-Mbomou |
| Government | |
| • Sub-Prefect | Parfait Romaric Achille Sangou-Zirani[1] |
| • Mayor | Rosalie Nawira[2] |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Zemio is a town andsub-prefecture in theHaut-Mbomou prefecture of the south-easternCentral African Republic. Zemio was the former capital of theSultanate of Zemio before it was abolished in 1923 by France.[3]
French Congo colonial government sent five prisoners fromAnnam to Zemio to work for the French garrison in 1896. The workers planted rice, banana, and tobacco and established a settlement near the town. The prisoners stayed in Zemio until 10 April 1904, when they had to move toBrazzaville.[4] In 1924, a missionary named John Buyse establishedAIM mission station in Zemio.[5]
In the 1970s, Zemio was the center of the illegal ivory trade.[3]
In May 2014,Anti-balaka militia fromBahr attacked Zemio.[6] From 18 to 21 November 2014, a sectarian clash between Muslims and Christians ensued in Zemio, resulting in two people dead, two missing, and 15 injured. Thirty-eight houses were burned in Mama 1 neighborhood.[7]
On 28 June 2017 Ugandan forces withdrew from Zemio. Armed Muslims entered town, killing at least 28 civilians.[8] As of January 2021 Zemio remains under control ofUnion for Peace in the Central African Republic rebel groups.[9]
FACA andWagner mercenaries from Bangui and Obo arrived in Zemio on 25 May 2024 after more than six years.[10]
Zemio is a diverse town. It is inhabited byZande,Banda,Runga,Gula,Peuhl, andArabs.[11]
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Christians from Catholic and Protestant denominations and Muslims can be found in Zemio. In addition, there is a catholic church, a Protestant church, and a mosque in the town.[12]
Agriculture is the main source of income for the town residents. Other than that, some town residents engage in fishing, hunting, and honey-gathering activities for their livelihood.[13] As of August 2023, Zemio is considered the most expensive city in Central African Republic. One bag of flour and sugar is priced at 70,000 and 80,000 CFA Francs, respectively. Deplorable road conditions lead to Zemio, causing the journey fromBangui to Zemio to take two months, and the increase in fuel fare are attributed to the skyrocketting price of commodities in the town.[14]
There are two health centers in the town, which are owned by the government andAfrica Inland Mission.[15] Currently, the public health center has only one doctor.[16]
From 2018 to 2024 the town's security is only served by the Morocco contingent ofMINUSCA.[17][10]
The town is served byZemio Airport.
| International | |
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| National | |
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