CAR: Clashes leave three dead in Alindao (Basse-Kotto prefecture) January 10

Event

Central African military forces (FACA) clashed with Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) militants in Alindao (Basse-Kotto prefecture) on Friday, January 10. At least three soldiers were killed, and several others injured while 125 civilians evacuated the city to find shelter at the nearby United Nations base. According to a UN official, several homes and businesses were burned down.

A heightened security presence is to be anticipated in Alindao in 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 Alindao 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.