CAR: Clashes erupt following attack in Ndélé April 29

Event

An attack on the central market in Ndélé (Bamingui-Bangoran prefecture) on Wednesday, April 29, led to fatal clashes between rival armed groups. The attack was mainly carried out by ethnic Goula militants from the Patriotic Rally for the Renewal of the Central African Republic (RPRC), Central African Liberators for Justice (MLCJ), and the Party for the Reunification of the Central African Nation (PRNC) groups. Ethnic Runga militants from the Popular Front for the Renaissance of Central Africa (FPRC), along with peacekeeping forces from the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), attempted to repel the attack. At least 37 people were killed and dozens of others were wounded in the incident.

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.