CAR: Clashes in Batangafo ongoing as of October 30

Event

Tensions continue to rise in Batangafo (Ouham prefecture) as sporadic outbursts of violence between armed groups continue. On Tuesday, October 24, clashes reportedly broke out in a village to the northwest of the city between former Seleka militants and a local self-defense group. At least six people were killed. Incidents of fighting were still being reported as of Monday, October 30. This latest cycle of violence began two weeks ago and has caused some local residents to flee into the countryside.

Context

Religious conflicts have ravaged 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.

Advice

Individuals present in the region surrounding Batangafo are advised to monitor local developments, to maintain a high degree of situational awareness, and to avoid all public gatherings due to the risk of violence.

More generally, 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.