CAR: Thousands flee violence in Basse-Kotto /update 1

Event

According to humanitarian officials, thousands of people have fled internally displaces person (IDP) camps in Alindao (Basse-Kotto region) after violent clashes left at least 42 people dead, including a priest, on Thursday, November 15. The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) reportedly deployed additional peacekeepers to the area to maintain stability. Nevertheless, further clashes are possible in the coming days.

Context

According to UN officials, at least 42 people were killed on November 15 in Alindao in a series of retaliatory attack, including an attack by members of a Muslim-majority ex-Séléka militia group on members of an anti-Balaka militia and a Catholic mission.

The Central African Republic (CAR) has suffered recurrent bouts of civil conflict since December 2012, which has led to hundreds of deaths and almost 700,000 IDPs, and has pushed more than 500,000 people to seek refuge in neighboring Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Chad. Clashes between various armed groups continue to be reported on a regular basis despite the June 2017 signing of a ceasefire agreement between the CAR government and rebel groups present in the country.

Advice

Individuals present in CAR are advised to monitor local developments, maintain a high degree of situational awareness, and remain vigilant for potential militant activity.

In general, a number of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the east and northeast of the country for various security reasons, including the presence of armed groups and ongoing conflicts.