Auto-Defence (7 images)

Holding up the Law
Sticks and catapults bring some law to a region ravaged by rebel and government violence

The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world. With several rebel groups roaming large swaths of the country and a weak national army notorious for its human rights abuses, youths have taken it upon themselves to set up neighborhood watch patrols.

The police are understaffed, the army is fighting the rebels, so these...
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Holding up the Law
Sticks and catapults bring some law to a region ravaged by rebel and government violence

The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world. With several rebel groups roaming large swaths of the country and a weak national army notorious for its human rights abuses, youths have taken it upon themselves to set up neighborhood watch patrols.

The police are understaffed, the army is fighting the rebels, so these enthusiastic youths try to keep a certain order in their neighborhood, patrolling day and night. They do get into dangerous situations when interfering in violent fights. Some self defence groups are known to have clashed with rebels. But most injuries occur to their feet, patrolling the streets at night without light wearing flimsy sandals.
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