View source for Armel Sayo

{{Infobox officeholder
|name        = Armel Sayo
|image       = 
|office      = Ministry of Modernization of Administration and Public Service Innovation
|president   = [[Faustin-Archange Touadéra]]
|primeminister = [[Firmin Ngrébada]]
|term_start  = 2 April 2020
|term_end    = 19 February 2021
|predecessor = Nabia Haroune
|successor   = Marcel Djimassé (Civil Service and Administrative Reform)
|office1      = Minister of Habitat and Housing
|president1   = [[Catherine Samba-Panza]]
|primeminister1 = [[Mahamat Kamoun]]
|term_start1  = 29 October 2015
|term_end1    = 11 April 2016
|predecessor1 = Nicaise Karnou-Samedi
|successor1   = Gaby Francky Leffa
|office2      = Minister of Youth and Sports
|president2   = Catherine Samba-Panza
|primeminister2 = Mahamat Kamoun
|term_start2  = 22 August 2014
|term_end2    = 29 October 2015
|predecessor2 = [[Abdoulaye Hissène]]
|successor2   = Nicaise Karnou-Samedi
|birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1979|8|17|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Bangui]], Central African Republic
|death_date  = 
|death_place = 
|party       = 
|occupation  = Pastor<br>Politician<br>Warlord
|alma_mater  = 
|module              = {{Infobox military person
|embed        = yes
|allegiance   = [[Central African Armed Forces|FACA]]<br />[[Revolution and Justice]] {{small|(2013–2019)}}
|serviceyears = 
|battles      = [[Central African Republic Civil War]]}}
|rank         = [[Captain]]
}}
'''Armel Mingatoloum Sayo''' (born 17 August 1979), also known as '''Armel Bedaya''' or '''Commandant Sayo''',{{sfn|UN Security Council|2014|p=27}} is a Central African politician and warlord who served in three different ministerial positions under Panza and Touadera's presidencies. He also served as the leader of Revolution and Justice until its disarmament in 2019.

== Early life and military career ==
Sayo was born on 17 August 1979 in Bangui.<ref name="SAY">{{cite web |last1=Themona |first1=Herman |title=République centrafricaine Alerte : Quand la France Protège les Binationaux sur Son Territoire pour Déstabiliser la Centrafrique - Cas de l'Ex-Chef Rebelle Armel Ningatoloum Sayo |url=https://lepotentielcentrafricain.com/rca-alerte-info-quand-la-france-protege-les-binationaux-sur-son-territoire-pour-destabiliser-la-centrafrique-cas-de-lex-chef-rebelle-armel-ningatoloum-sayo/ |website=lepotentielcentrafricain.com |publisher=Le Potentiel Centrafricain |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> His biological father's name is Sayo Robert, an accountant at Bangui Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was later adopted by {{ill|Simon Bédaya-Ngaro|fr|Simon Bédaya-Ngaro}}.<ref name="AMS">{{cite web|last1=La Nouvelle Centrafrique|first1=La Nouvelle Centrafrique|url=http://www.lanouvellecentrafrique.info/centrafrique-armel-sayo-sexprime/|title=Centrafrique: Armel Sayo s’exprime
|website=lanouvellecentrafrique.info|date=2023-03-14|access-date=2024-02-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726044636/http://www.lanouvellecentrafrique.info/centrafrique-armel-sayo-sexprime/|archive-date=2013-07-26}}</ref> Under [[Ange-Félix Patassé|Patassé]] administration, Sayo was the country's Director of Security.<ref>{{cite report|author=International Federation for Human Rights |date=June 2014|title=Central African Republic: "They must all leave or die."|url=https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/rapport_rca_2014-uk-04.pdf|publisher=International Federation for Human Rights|page=65}}</ref> After the [[2003 Central African Republic coup d'état|2003 coup]], an armed group entered his house and attempted to assassinate Sayo, his mother, father, brothers. The groups then left, and he evacuated his father by disguising him as a woman to the Nigerian Embassy.<ref name="AMS" />

In February 2004, while Sayo was treated at the Military Hospital Center of Camp Fidel Obrou, a militia tried to abduct him. However, he managed to get away from the kidnapping attempt, thanks to his aunt. Afterward, he and his family fled to France for medical treatment and security reasons.<ref name="AMS" />

In 2008, Sayo became the leader of [[People's Army for the Restoration of Democracy (CAR)|APRD]]. From 2010 to 2011, Sayo was in charge of Patasse's security.<ref>{{cite web |last1=GAB |first1=GAB |title=CHEFS REBELLES EN LIEN AVEC LE MLPC |url=http://takaparlenews.over-blog.com/2015/06/chefs-rebelles-en-lien-avec-le-mlpc.html |website=takaparlenews.over-blog.com/ |publisher=Taka Parler News |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> The Gendarmerie arrested Sayo on 28 February 2011 in Bangui during a trip accompanied by FOMAC soldiers under the accusation of arms dealing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=AFP |first1=AFP |title=Centrafrique: arrestation du responsable de la sécurité d’Ange Patassé |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/depeches/74959/politique/centrafrique-arrestation-du-responsable-de-la-securite-dange-patasse/ |website=jeuneafrique.com/ |publisher=Jeune Afrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ndeke Luka |first1=Ndeke Luka |title=Des éléments de la sécurité de l’ex-président Patassé arrêtés |url=https://www.radiondekeluka.org/3397-des-elements-de-la-securite-de-lex-president-patasse-arretes |website=radiondekeluka.org |publisher=Radio Ndeke Luka |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> Responding to the arrest, Patasse supporters held a demonstration in front of the gendarmerie headquarters on 12 March 2011 demanding Sayo's release.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ndeke Luka |first1=Ndeke Luka |title=Les militants de Patassé exigent Justice dans l’affaire Sayo |url=https://www.radiondekeluka.org/3498-les-militants-de-patasse-exigent-justice-dans-laffaire-sayo |website=radiondekeluka.org |publisher=Radio Ndeke Luka |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> Later, he was released and returned to France.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pabandji |first1=Pacôme |title=Centrafrique : Armel Sayo, l’ancien chef rebelle préféré de Touadéra |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1134834/politique/centrafrique-armel-sayo-lancien-chef-rebelle-prefere-de-touadera/ |website=jeuneafrique.com |publisher=Jeune Afrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

== 2012 - present ==
=== Seleka and Revolution and Justice ===
From 2012 to 2013, Sayo served as Seleka's spokesperson.<ref name="AP">{{cite web |last1=Africa Press |first1=Africa Press |title=Armel Sayo, un chef rebelle qui veut diriger la République centrafricaine |url=https://www.africa-press.net/centrafricaine/politique/armel-sayo-un-chef-rebelle-qui-veut-diriger-la-republique-centrafricaine |website=africa-press.net |publisher=Africa Press |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> However, he later defected from Seleka in March 2013 and founded ''Comité national pour la restauration de la démocratie'' (CNRD) in [[Ouham-Pendé]]. The group allied with [[Democratic Front of the Central African People|FDPC]] and provided reinforcement forces to FDPC during the clashes with Seleka in early April 2013. On 17 April 2013, FDPC and CNRD joined the ''Union des forces armées centrafricaines pour la restauration de la démocratie'' (UFACARD) alliance.<ref>{{cite report|last1=Weyns|first1=Yannick|last2=Hoex|first2=Lotte|last3=Hilgert|first3=Filip|last4=Spittaels|first4=Steven|date=November 2014|title=Mapping Conflict Motives: The Central African Republic|url=https://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IPIS-CAR-Conflict-Mapping-November-2014.pdf|page=77|access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

Sayo and [[François Toussaint]] founded [[Revolution and Justice|RJ]] in October 2013. On 1 November 2023, Sayo and Toussaint crossed the Central African Republic - Cameroon border in the Baiboon region and established RJ's first camp at the outskirts of [[Paoua]].{{sfn|UN Security Council|2014|p=27}} In January 2014, Sayo asked Chad to support RJ, yet it never came to the group. In June 2014, Sayo was reported to have commanded 60 militias in Gadoulou, [[Bang, Central African Republic|Bang]], and [[Bodjomo]].{{sfn|UN Security Council|2014|p=28}} Apart from that, he planned RJ for a march to [[Bangui]] to express their discontent with the central government neglecting the northern part.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ngaba |first1=Éric |title=CENTRAFRIQUE: LE MOUVEMENT RÉVOLUTION JUSTICE (RJ) EN MARCHE VERS BANGUI |url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/centrafrique-le-mouvement-revolution-justice-rj-en-marche-vers-bangui/ |website=corbeaunews-centrafrique.org |publisher=Corbeau News Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> He also signed the Brazzaville Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities in the Central African Republic on 23 July 2014 as RJ's representative.<ref>{{cite web |title=Accord de cessation des hostilités en République Centrafricaine (Brazzaville Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities) |url=https://www.peaceagreements.org/wview/818/Accord%20de%20cessation%20des%20hostilit%C3%A9s%20en%20R%C3%A9publique%20Centrafricaine%20(Brazzaville%20Agreement%20on%20Cessation%20of%20Hostilities) |website=peaceagreements.org |publisher=Peace Agreements |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> In the [[Bangui National Forum]], he was also one of the signatories of the agreement on the disarmament of armed groups.<ref>{{cite web |last1=CorbeauNews |first1=CorbeauNews |title=Centrafrique: Enfin, un accord sur le désarmement des groupes armés |url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/centrafrique-enfin-un-accord-sur-le-desarmement-des-groupes-armes/ |website=corbeaunews-centrafrique.org |publisher=Corbeau News Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

=== Minister of Sports and Housing ===
[[Mahamat Kamoun]] appointed Sayo as the Minister of Youth and Sport on 22 August 2014. During his tenure as the minister of sports, he suspended the funding of Central African Athletes to compete in international tournaments due to financial constraints and the mixed results.<ref>{{cite web |last1=ACAP |first1=ACAP |title=Le ministre Armel Ningatoloum Sayo annonce la suspension temporaire des athlètes centrafricains aux compétions internationales |url=https://www.acap.cf/Le-ministre-Armel-Ningatoloum-Sayo-annonce-la-suspension-temporaire-des-athletes-centrafricains-aux-competions_a6511.html |website=acap.cf |publisher=Agence Centrafrique Presse |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> He also signed agreement with NGO IPHD to provide assistance to Central African Basketball Federation in training technical coaches.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Biongo |first1=François |title=Signature d’un accord de partenariat entre l’ONGIPHD le ministère des sports |url=https://www.acap.cf/Signature-d-un-accord-de-partenariat-entre-l-ONGIPHD-le-ministere-des-sports_a6184.html |website=acap.cf |publisher=Agence Centrafrique Presse |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> Despite his position as the minister of sport, he still provided financial support to RJ for its defense against intruders from Chad.<ref>{{cite report|author=UN Security Council|date=December 2015|title= Letter dated 21 December 2015 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to Security Council resolution 2196 (2015) addressed to the President of the Security Council|url=https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_2015_936.pdf|page=30|access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

An alleged [[Anti-balaka]] group commanded by [[Rodrigue Ngaibona]] abducted Sayo in the Galabadja neighborhood of Bangui on 24 January 2015 after attending church services and brought him to the group's stronghold in Boy-Rabe. The group's abduction aimed to release its detained commander in exchange for Sayo. Moreover, the kidnapper also demanded Sayo's family to pay a ransom of 4 million CFA francs. Nevertheless, Anti-balaka denied their involvement in the kidnapping.<ref>{{cite web |last1=BBC |first1=BBC |title=CAR minister Armel Sayo kidnapped 'for rebel chief' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30984343 |website=bbc.com |publisher=BBC |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ndeke Luka |first1=Ndeke Luka |title=10 jours d’Armel Sayo en détention, RJ menace de marcher sur Bangui |url=https://www.radiondekeluka.org/21245-10-jours-darmel-sayo-en-detention-rj-menace-de-marcher-sur-bangui |website=radiondekeluka.org |publisher=Radio Ndeke Luka |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> Sayo then released on 11 February 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last1=BBC |first1=BBC |title=Kidnapped CAR minister Armel Sayo freed by gunmen |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31415276 |website=bbc.com |publisher=BBC |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

Sayo served as the Minister of Housing and Habitat on 30 October 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ngaba |first1=Eric |title=CENTRAFRIQUE: REMANIEMENT DU GOUVERNEMENT KAMOUNE 3 A UN MOIS ET DEMI DES ELECTIONS |url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/centrafrique-remaniement-du-gouvernement-kamoune-3-un-mois-et-demi-des-elections/ |website=corbeaunews-centrafrique.org |publisher=Corbeau News Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> His tenure as the minister was marked by controversies as the mayor of [[Berberati]] blamed him for illegally selling government properties in the town to the persons that close to Sayo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mbayo |first1=Isidore |title=Centrafrique : Armel Sayo rebelle truand et délinquant, ou l'arbre qui cache la forêt |url=https://blogs.mediapart.fr/lnc-la-nouvelle-centrafrique/blog/040816/centrafrique-armel-sayo-rebelle-truand-et-delinquant-ou-larbre-qui-cache-la-foret |website=blogs.mediapart.fr |publisher=La Nouvelle Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

=== 2016 - 2019 ===
Sayo's inclusion into the government cabinet caused issues among the RJ high-ranking officers Raymond Belanga and Captain Fisher, as he no longer did daily interaction and transferred money to the group members. As a result, Sayo was dismissed as the group's leader on 22 April 2016.<ref name="RJS">{{cite report|author=UN Security Council|date=5 December 2016|title=Letter dated 5 December 2016 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to Security Council resolution 2262 (2016) addressed to the President of the Security Council|url=https://reliefweb.int/attachments/e09b868e-59a5-3b72-ada3-192d5b930147/N1636361.pdf|p=49}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=RJDH |first1=RJDH |title=Centrafrique : Armel Sayo destitué à la tête du mouvement RJ par la base |url=http://news.abangui.com/h/52109.html |website=news.abangui.com |publisher=RJDH |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> Sayo, however, challenged his dismissal as the leader by creating the new group's structure that placed him as the leader when he visited Paoua on 21 and 22 September and it received mixed reaction within the group. Sayo's leadership was endorsed by Colonel Luther, while Belanga rejected it, causing the group to be split into two factions, RJ/Sayo and RJ/Belanga.<ref name="RJS"/>

Sayo signed the Central African Republic peace accord at the Sant'Egidio headquarters in Rome on 19 June 2017 as RJ representative.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baddorf |first1=Zack |title=Pessimism About CAR Peace Deal Widespread |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pessimism-about-central-african-republic-peace-deal-widespread/3913727.html |website=voanews.com |publisher=VOA News |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>  Large Coalition of Central Africans held a Congress in [[Mingala]] on 25 to 27 November 2017, which resulted in the creation of Siriri coalition and named Sayo as the Coordinator for Army Reform.<ref>{{cite web |last1=CorbeauNews |first1=CorbeauNews |title=Centrafrique : la Coalition Large des Centrafricains, compte rendu et la décision prise lors de la réunion de Mingala. |url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/17876-2/ |website=corbeaunews-centrafrique.org |publisher=Corbeau News Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> However, he rejected the position that Siriri offered.<ref>{{cite web |last1=CorbeauNews |first1=CorbeauNews |title=Centrafrique : Armel Sayo dément son appartenance à la ‘’coalition siriri’’ |url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/17966-2/ |website=corbeaunews-centrafrique.org |publisher=Corbeau News Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> Sayo reportedly worked as a pastor at the Protestant Church of Elim in Bangui in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Djingatoloum |first1=Gervais |title=Centrafrique : massacre de Paoua, le chef de guerre Armel Sayo pourrait se retrouver devant la cour pénale au côté de Bahar. |url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/18411-2/ |website=corbeaunews-centrafrique.org |publisher=Corbeau News Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> On 6 August 2019, he signed Khartoum Peace Agreement as the RJ representative which resulted in the group to be disarmed. In return, he became the High Commissioner of the National Pioneer Youth.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Xinhua |first1=Xinhua |title=Centrafrique : un groupe armé de la région de l'extrême nord-ouest totalement désarmé |url=http://french.xinhuanet.com/2019-06/07/c_138123986.htm |website=french.xinhuanet.com|publisher=Xinhua |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> As the high commissioner, he signed partnership agreement with France through its ambassador in Bangui to provide job employment to the youth on 19 March 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=ACAP |first1=ACAP |title=Signature d’une convention de partenariat entre la République Centrafricaine et la France |url=https://www.acap.cf/Signature-d-une-convention-de-partenariat-entre-la-Republique-Centrafricaine-et-la-France_a10358.html |website=acap.cf |publisher=Agence Centrafrique Presse |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

== 2020-present ==
Ngrébada appointed Sayo as the Minister of Modernization of Administration and Public Service Innovation to fill the vacant position since [[Abdoulaye Miskine]] refused to accept that position.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lémet |first1=Y. Chastelle |title=Léger remaniemment du gouvernement Ngrébada II |url=https://www.acap.cf/Leger-remaniemment-du-gouvernement-Ngrebada-II_a10383.html |website=acap.cf |publisher=Agence Centrafrique Presse |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> He announced his presidential candidacy for the [[2020–21 Central African general election|2020 election]] and submitted files to the national authority on 1 November 2020.<ref name="AP" /> However, the Constitutional Court rejected his candidacy on 3 December 2020 as he was on the wanted list for embezzlement of a sum of 18,000,000 CFA francs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moloma |first1=Gisèle |title=RCA : Armel Sayo Ningatoloum, chef du mouvement armé " Révolution justice " est-il réellement recherché par la justice ? |url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/rca-armel-sayo-ningatoloum-chef-du-mouvement-arme-revolution-justice-est-il-reellement-recherche-par-la-justice/ |website=corbeaunews-centrafrique.org |publisher=Corbeau News Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Moloma |first1=Gisèle |title=RCA : présidentielle du 27 décembre, la Cour Constitutionnelle publie la liste définitive des candidats… |url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/rca-presidentielle-du-27-decembre-la-cour-constitutionnelle-publie-la-liste-definitive-des-candidats/ |website=corbeaunews-centrafrique.org |publisher=Corbeau News Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

In December 2020, he joined [[Coalition of Patriots for Change|CPC]] rebel coalition.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ekomo |first1=Julien |title=Procès Ngaïssona et Alfred Yekatom : Un procès d’importance pour la paix en RCA |url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/proces-ngaissona-et-alfred-yekatom-un-proces-dimportance-pour-la-paix-en-rca/ |website=corbeaunews-centrafrique.org |publisher=Corbeau News Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> Due to his link to the CPC rebels, Touadera sacked Sayo as the minister on 19 February 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Etahoben |first1=Chief Bisong |title=CAR Govt Sacks Appointees Linked With Rebels |url=https://humanglemedia.com/car-govt-sacks-appointees-linked-with-rebels/ |website=humanglemedia.com |publisher=HumAngle |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Alwihda |first1=Alwihda |title=Centrafrique : plusieurs ministres et hauts fonctionnaires révoqués par le chef de l’État |url=https://www.alwihdainfo.com/Centrafrique-plusieurs-ministres-et-hauts-fonctionnaires-revoques-par-le-chef-de-l-Etat_a100768.html |website=alwihdainfo.com |publisher=Al Wihda |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> Moreover, the gendarmerie and the police also raided his house and issued arrest warrant.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mbata |first1=Anselme |title=Alerte info : présence massive des forces de l’ordre au domicile du chef rebelle Armel Sayo à Bangui |url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/alerte-info-presence-massive-des-forces-de-lordre-au-domicile-du-chef-rebelle-armel-sayo-a-bangui/ |website=corbeaunews-centrafrique.org |publisher=Corbeau News Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

As of June 2023, Sayo worked as an evangelical pastor and called the people and FACA to support him in toppling Touadera.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nzilo |first1=Alain |title=La voix de l’espoir : Armel Ningatoloum Sayo veut chasser Touadera et conduire une nouvelle transition en RCA |url=https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.org/la-voix-de-lespoir-armel-ningatoloum-sayo-veut-chasser-touadera-et-conduire-une-nouvelle-transition-en-rca/ |website=corbeaunews-centrafrique.org |publisher=Corbeau News Centrafrique |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Sayo holds dual citizenship with the Central African Republic and France.<ref name="SAY"/> He is married to Nicaise Danielle Sayo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ndeke Luka |first1=Ndeke Luka |title=Kidnapping d’un membre du gouvernement à Bangui |url=https://www.radiondekeluka.org/21149-kidnapping-dun-membre-du-gouvernement-a-bangui |website=radiondekeluka.org |publisher=Radio Ndeke Luka |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{cite report|author=UN Security Council|date= 29 October 2014|title=Letter dated 28 October 2014 from the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic established pursuant to Security Council resolution 2127 (2013) addressed to the President of the Security Council|url=https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/782335/files/S_2014_762-EN.pdf?ln=en}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sayo, Armel}}
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:People from Bangui]]
[[Category:People of the Central African Republic Civil War]]
[[Category:Central African Republic military personnel]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African warlords]]
[[Category:Government ministers of the Central African Republic]]