In the Central African Republic, the authorities welcome the fact that the national army and its allies, especially the Russians, have been able to enter Kaga-Bandoro. This strategic commercial hub, located 300 km north of Bangui, had been in the hands of armed groups since 2014.
With our special correspondent in Bangui, Florence Morice
It was just before 5 pm, on Saturday 10 April, that the Central African Armed Forces and their allies entered Kaga-Bandoro. Shots were heard but no fighting was reported. This offensive had been announced as an important goal for the authorities.
Some of the rebels who had held Kaga-Bandoro since 2014 had therefore already left the city recently, according to security sources. As for those who were still there, they withdrew on Saturday night without fighting north, in the direction of Kabo and Batangafo, according to several sources. They are mainly members of the UPC in Al-Khatim, from ex-Seleka and were considered heavily armed.
In 2019, after several unsuccessful attempts, the Central African Army had sketched a shy return to Kaga-Bandoro, but its troops remained confined to their base without carrying out an operation. They even withdrew, says a security source, after an attack carried out as part of the CPC uprising that was launched in late December.
Kaga-Bandoro hosts the largest livestock market in the Central African Republic, making it a strategic city, especially as the taxation of cattle is a major source of income for armed groups from the former Seleka.
► To read also: RCA: Russian mediation in Kaga-Bandoro
.
