CAR: Deadly clashes in PK5 district of Bangui May 23

Event

According to the Red Cross, at least 12 people were killed during clashes in the PK5 district of the capital Bangui on Wednesday, May 23. The clashes broke out following the detonation of a grenade. An investigation to determine the cause of the violence is ongoing. Tensions remain high in the city and further clashes are possible.
Shops in the district closed due to the violence and continued closures are possible May 24 and into the coming days.

Context

Tensions rose significantly in Bangui following attacks that targeted a church and a mosque on May 1, leaving 24 people dead and more than 170 wounded. Numerous clashes broke out in the city in the proceeding weeks, notably in the PK5 neighborhood. This is despite a series of security operations carried out by the UN peacekeeping mission in CAR (MINUSCA) in the PK5 district April 8-10, targeting Muslim self-defense militias at the request of local residents following reports of violence and extortion.

Numerous Western governments have issued travel advisories due to the deterioration of the security situation in CAR. Since April 10, French diplomatic authorities have been advising their citizens to avoid all nonessential travel to the country. Also on April 10, US diplomatic authorities issued a security alert urging their citizens to avoid the PK5 neighborhood and the 7th arrondissement of Bangui. On April 12, the UK issued an advisory advising against all nonessential travel to central Bangui, and against all travel to the rest of CAR.

Advice

Individuals present in Bangui, and CAR more generally, are advised to monitor local developments and maintain a high degree of situational awareness. Avoid all demonstrations or other public gatherings and be prepared to shelter in place (stock up on food, water, and other necessities) in the event of a sudden deterioration in the local security situation. More generally, 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.