13, January 2021
Central African Republic forces thwart rebel attempt to seize capital Bangui 0
Armed rebel groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) have attempted to seize the capital Bangui, but saw their push thwarted by the security forces.
Prime Minister Firmin Ngrebada said in a post on Facebook on Wednesday that although the assailants were “in large numbers to take Bangui” at dawn, the security forces managed to “vigorously” push the rebels back.
Interior Minister Henri Wanzet Linguissara told AFP that two army brigades were targeted by the rebels nine and 12 kilometers from the capital.
The assaults were the first close to the capital and mark an escalation in the violence that erupted when President Faustin Archange Touadera was re-elected in December.
“We heard gunfire from six this morning. We’re staying home – there’s panic. We’re scared of stray bullets,” said north Bangui resident.
Explosions were also heard during the clashes.
A coalition of rebel groups accused of an attempted coup after their offensive to disrupt the December 27 election have vowed to march on Bangui.
The army, supported by the armed forces of France, Russia, Rwanda and the United Nations, has been battling those seeking to derail the disputed election.
Former President Francois Bozize came to power in a coup in 2003. He was ousted by a rebellion in 2013.
Ever since, chaos and clashes over power have killed thousands of people and forced over a million from homes.
The former president stands accused of plotting a coup with the help of armed groups. He denies the allegation.
Source: Presstv
17, January 2021
UN peacekeepers retake control of Central African Republic city from armed rebels 0
United Nations peacekeeping troops have retaken control of a city in the south eastern Central African Republic (CAR), which was captured by armed rebels two weeks ago.
A spokesman for the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) told AFP that the peacekeeping forces were in control of Bangassou, lying on the north bank of the Mbomou River.
The spokesman said that the rebels had abandoned their positions following a UN ultimatum on Friday.
Bangassou was captured early this month by armed groups waging an offensive against troops loyal to President Faustin Archange Touadera.
Touadera, who gained power following the December presidential election, accuses former president Francois Bozize of leading the armed rebellion wreaking havoc in CAR.
Bozize, who had gained power in a coup in 2003, recently returned after years in exile. He was barred from running in the election by the country’s top court and faces charges of murder, arbitrary arrest, and torture.
The African country with a population of 4.7 million has endured waves of violence since Bozize, 74, was toppled in 2013.
The violence has left thousands of people dead and forced more than a million from their homes.
UN peacekeepers, who have been deployed to restore peace and stability to CAR, come from about a dozen countries and consist of some 11,650 blue-cap troops, 150 military observers, 300 staff officers, 2,000 police officers and 1,400 civilian personnel, in addition to about 200 UN volunteers.
Since 2014, 82 members of MINUSCA have lost their lives during their mission in CAR.
The former European colony is landlocked between Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.
Despite being rich in energy and mineral resources, CAR is one of the world’s most impoverished countries.
Source: Presstv