CAR: At least three aid workers killed in Gambo (south)

Event

At least three Red Cross employees have been killed during recent clashes in Gambo (south), according to a statement by Red Cross officials in the Central African Republic (CAR) released on Tuesday, August 8. The clashes, which had taken place over the previous week, broke out between a local self-defense group and members of the Unity for the Central African People (UPC), a faction of the ex-Seleka rebel group.

Further clashes are possible in the coming days in the area.

Context

Religious conflicts have ravaged the CAR since December 2013. Clashes between various armed groups continue to be reported regularly despite the June 19 signing of an "immediate ceasefire" agreement between the CAR government  and 13 out of the 14 rebel groups present in the country.

The capital Bangui has especially been gripped by deadly clashes between the Christian Anti-Balaka group and ex-Seleka Muslim militias. The conflict has led to hundreds of deaths, created almost 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), and pushed more than 500,000 people to seek refuge in the neighboring countries of Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad. On June 23, a Red Cross worker was killed in Bangassou, the first killing of a Red Cross worker in the CAR since 2014.

Advice

Many Western governments advise against travel to the CAR due to these and other security concerns. Travel should only be considered with proper security protocols in place.