Central African Republic rebels seize Bangassou, says UN

Central African Republic rebels seize Bangassou, says UN

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Road in Bangassou, CAR, on December 22, 2020
Bangassou, photographed a month before being apprehended, is on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo

Rebel forces have taken over a city in the southeastern Central African Republic, an official with the United Nations mission in the country said.

The rebels carried out an attack at dawn and are now everywhere in Bangassou, the official said, adding that fighting was continuing in several parts.

A rebel coalition has attacked several cities in recent weeks and currently controls two-thirds of the country.

They accuse the government of holding a fraudulent election on December 27.

The government denied allegations of electoral fraud. The initial results of the election for president and seats in the National Assembly are expected on Monday.

The authorities also accused former president François Bozizé, who supports the rebels, of trying to deliver a coup – something he denied.

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a resource-rich but deeply unstable country that has suffered several blows since France’s independence 60 years ago.

BBC Africa editor Mary Harper says there appears to be no decrease in rebel activity.

On Saturday, the rebel coalition attacked the city of Damara, which is about 70 km north of the capital Bangui.

Main CAR events. [ 2003 Rebel leader and former army commander Francois Bozizé seizes power ],[ 2009 UN Security Council agrees to creation of UN peace-building office for CAR to address ongoing insecurity ],[ 2013 Bozizé flees into exile as Seleka rebel coalition rapidly overruns the country and takes control of the capital ],[ 2015 Referendum on constitutional changes in November, followed by first round of presidential election ],[ 2019 Bozizé returns to CAR ], Source: Source: BBC, Image: Man carrying eggs
Main CAR events. [ 2003 Rebel leader and former army commander Francois Bozizé seizes power ],[ 2009 UN Security Council agrees to creation of UN peace-building office for CAR to address ongoing insecurity ],[ 2013 Bozizé flees into exile as Seleka rebel coalition rapidly overruns the country and takes control of the capital ],[ 2015 Referendum on constitutional changes in November, followed by first round of presidential election ],[ 2019 Bozizé returns to CAR ], Source: Source: BBC, Image: Man carrying eggs

CAR is one of the poorest countries in Africa, although it is rich in resources like diamonds and uranium. The UN, which has about 13,000 peacekeepers in place, estimates that half the population depends on humanitarian assistance.

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