18 May 2018 | 01:28 AM UTC
CAR: Peacekeepers ambushed near Alindao May 17
Suspected anti-Balaka militants ambush UN peacekeepers near Alindao May 17; one Mauritanian soldier killed and eight wounded
Event
A UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) convoy was ambushed by suspected Christian anti-Balaka militants while traveling near the southern village of Alindao on Thursday, May 17. According to Mauritanian military officials, one of their soldiers were killed and eight others were wounded in the attack. Officials claim that around 40 militants also died during the fighting.
Context
Tensions have remained high in the country after rebel fighters attacked the city of Bambari on May 15, killing at least six people and forcing hundreds to flee. Numerous Western governments have issued travel advisories following the deterioration of the security situation in CAR. On April 10, French diplomatic authorities issued a new travel advisory for CAR, 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 a travel advisory, advising against all nonessential travel to central Bangui, and against all travel to the rest of CAR.
CAR has suffered recurrent bouts of civil conflict since December 2012 which has led to hundreds of deaths, created almost 700,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), and 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 13 out of the 14 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.
