Chrisnah Renaudot Mfouhou gave a talk entitled Noun-phrase level tonal phenomena in Ndungalɛ (“Ubangi”, Mbaic) at the 4th Congo Research Network (CRN) PhD Days held on 15–16 January 2026 in a hybrid format at UCLouvain (Louvain-la-Neuve) and online. The event brought together PhD candidates and early-career researchers working on or in Central Africa, as well as senior scholars from a wide range of disciplines. Over two days, participants engaged in rich and stimulating discussions around 51 paper presentations and 18 posters, reflecting the diversity of current research on the Congo and the wider Central African region.
Chrisnah was also discussant for the paper “Quand les (grands)-parents racontent … : (Re)construction du passé colonial: entre mémoire et histoire orale” by the PhD student Marta Guerreiro Bernardino.
From January 15 to January 31, Sara Pacchiarotti, PI of the CongUbangi project, visited the Central African Republic to meet for the first time the local authorities with whom she co-signed a university cooperation agreement and joint PhD agreement for the doctoral students in archaeology Henri Zana and Lucien Pierre Nguerede. In particular, Sara had the pleasure to meet Dr. Emmanuel Rock Yaouili Mognaman, director of CURDHACA (Centre Universitaire de Recherche et de Documentation en Histoire et Archéologie Centrafricaines at the Université de Bangui) and Prof. Dr. Bernard Simiti, former minister of Education and professor of history and archaeology at the Université de Bangui and co-supervisor of Henri Zana and Lucien Pierre Nguerede, as well as the Rector of the Université de Bangui, Prof. Gérard Gresenguet.
Together with Dr. Yaouili and Prof. Simiti, Sara also met with Prof. Jean Kokidé, Directeur du Cabinet of the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Innovation to discuss the fate of the CURDHACA. This center used to be hosted outside of the university premises, in a building that was looted and severely damaged by rebels during the humanitarian crisis of 2013. This original building has now been fully restored and is ready to host once again the CURDHACA after more than a decade during which the center was relegated to a former, minuscule cafeteria for professors within the Bangui campus. The CongUbangi project will contribute funds for the purchase of shelves, storing units, and related furniture for an adequate display and preservation of archaeological findings of CURDHACA which could escape the plundering of 2013, as well as those newly identified during the archaeological missions of the CongUbangi project (2024-2028) in the Central African Republic.
During her stay, Sara was interviewed about the CongUbangi project by Radio Ndeke Luka, https://www.radiondekeluka.org/.
The interview was broadcasted locally and online on Sunday February 1 as part of the “Magazine de Culture”, broadcast “100% Culture”, see https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=825265973860499&id=100091313123767&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc3MDMwNDQzNDAwMCwiciI6IiJ9
Sara deeply enjoying her welcoming meal in Bangui (with Bernard Simiti)
Sara being interviewed about the CongUbangi project at Radio Ndeke Luka
Sara With Pr. Augustin Kongatoua Kossonzo, Inspecteur Central en charge de l'enseignement public (first from left), Prof. Bernard Simiti, professeur d'histoire et archeologie (second from left), and Prof. Jean Kokidé, Directeur de Cabinet du Ministère de l'Enseignement Superieur de la Recherche Scientifique et Innovation technologique
The newly restored original CURDHACA building in Bimbo (Bangui)
Peter Coutros, Henri Zana, and Lucien Pierre Nguerede discussing their imminent terrestrial mission in northwest CAR
Prof. Bernard Simiti (left), Dr. Emmanuel Rock Yaouili Mognaman (right front), and Xavier Mbembele (right back) and a delicious fish straight from the grill
Ndeke Luka broadcasting station in Bangui
Sara with Mr. Emile Beoundé, chef de quartier and native speaker of Pande (Bantu C11)
Sara at the current CURDHACA building at the Université de Bangui
