Page "Central African Armed Forces" Paragraph 5

Soon after the election 1993, Patassé became unpopular within the army, not least because of his inability to pay their wages ( partly due to economic mismanagement and partly because France suddenly ended its economic support for the soldiers ’ wages ).

Another reason for the irritation was that most of FACA consisted of soldiers from Kolingba ’ s ethnic group, the Yakoma.

During Patassé ’ s rule they were becoming increasingly marginalised, while Patassé created militias favouring his own Gbaya tribe, as well as neighbouring Sara and Kaba.

This resulted in army mutinies in 1996 – 1997, where fractions of the military clashed with the presidential guard, the Unité de sécurité présidentielle ( USP ) and militias loyal to Patassé.