CAR: Clashes reported in Ndélé March 11

Event

Clashes erupted between armed groups in Ndélé (Haute-Kotto prefecture) on Wednesday, March 11. According to local sources, between 13 and 20 people civilians were killed and several others wounded in the incident. The local police outposts, the market, and several houses were also burnt down.

As of Wednesday, March 12, calm has been restored, however, tension remains high.

A heightened security presence is to be anticipated in Ndélé over the near term; further clashes cannot be ruled out.

Context

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 internally displaced persons (IDPs), and has pushed more than 500,000 people to seek refuge in neighbouring Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Chad. Clashes between various armed groups continue to be reported, although a peace agreement between armed groups and the government was signed on February 6, 2019.

Advice

Individuals present in Ndélé 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 most of the east of the country for various security reasons, including the presence of armed groups.