CAR: Armed attack in Bokolobo, May 9

Event

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) issued a statement May 14 indicating that rebels aligned with the Union for Peace in Central Africa (UPC) had killed 10 civilians in Bokolobo, Ouaka Prefecture, May 9. Further details are unavailable. Bokolobo is located around 400 km northeast of Bangui.

Context

Various rebel groups operate in CAR. The UPC is part of the Coalition of Patriots for Change (Coalition des patriotes pour le changement, CPC). The CPC is an umbrella group of rebel organizations that together control much of the country's territory. The CPC was created ahead of the December 2020 presidential elections with the aim of destabilizing the government and has been accused of human rights abuses; it poses a major threat to civilians in its area of operations.