A terror attack carried out by rebels killed eleven civilians in eastern Central African Republic (CAR). The attack occurred near Bambari, one of the largest cities in CAR, leaving six wounded, according to Saturnin Nicaise Grepandet, the area's deputy prefect. However, aid workers reported that at least 15 people died during the attack.
Central African Republic has been battling with the armed groups since its president Francois Bozize was overthrown by an armed group suspected to have drawn members from the Muslim minority. The coup, which was a bloodbath, drew forces from the Christian and animist communities known as the "Anti-balaka". Since Faustin Archange Touadera took over from Francois Bozize, he has not been able to exert control as the armed groups still control swathes of the country. For example, in Bambari, rebels from one of the largest armed groups, the movement for peace in the country (the Union pour la paix en Centrafrique, or UPC), killed two government troops. However, on 1 October, a curfew was extended in the region in response to the worsening security situation. Last December, a coalition of six armed groups pushed their way to Bangui to disrupt the run-up presidential elections but met stiff resistance from Russia and Rwanda military who thwarted their annexation. According to a UN report, there have been hundreds of human rights violations and abuses over the past year, resulting in at least 1,221 deaths including 144 civilians.
Some of these gruesome cases have been attributed to the CAR armed forces and "private military personnel" - referring to the Russian paramilitaries. The government of the Central African Republic has also reported that some abuses were carried out by "Russian instructors" but still blamed the rebels for contributing to most of them.
To read more, visit:
https://www.africanews.com/2021/10/06/rebel-attack-kills-11-in-central-african-republic/
https://skydaily.ng/2021/10/rebel-attack-kills-11-in-central-african-republic/
Author: Madu Chisom; Editor: Katherine Meunier
