The security situation remains uncertain in the CAR after the organization of a coalition of six armed groups and their descent on the main axes of the country towards the capital. In the capital Bangui, the situation was calm on Monday, December 21, where movements were reported.
as reported from Bangui, Charlotte cosset
In the country, the positions of the armed groups remain relatively stable, although regrouping movements continue, especially on the side of Baboua, the capital’s supply axis.
In Mbaïki, the exchange of fire took place again on Monday morning. In Bouca, the status quo reports but witnesses of the population fleeing into the bush. Although the armed groups so far do not attack the populations and warn on arrival that they are just passing, the locals fear new battles.
Several security sources note increases, both on the national forces and on the side of the armed movement 3R. A branch of the FPRC has announced that it is distancing itself from the current armed movement. However, it is difficult to assess its significance in the coalition.
As the armed groups from the north descend towards the Sibut lock, reinforcements from the Central African Armed Forces and Minusca have arrived.
If the day seems to be subdued, several meetings should be noted, especially within the 3R Group to decide on the strategy to be followed, as the pressure on capacity is not currently bearing fruit. In fact, authorities and international partners do not bow. Next Sunday’s election must be held.
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President Touadéra oflexibel
For President Faustin Archange Touadéra, there is no question of postponing or opening the infringement to a new transition. He believes the campaign can continue, despite the security crisis, and remains committed to the December 27 election to stay within the nail of the constitution. He repeated it during a press conference on Monday, December 21.
The 27 [décembre], we go to the polls. Now that we have found a constitutional order, we must maintain that order for democracy […] To negotiate ? How? ‘Or what? In what form? You can see that there we have attacks that we do not have time to negotiate. We do not know who to negotiate with.
Faustin Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic
Sends Rwandan troops
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, for his part, spoke about the sending of Rwandan troops to the Central African Republic. During a virtual press conference on the afternoon of Monday, December 21, he gave details of the mandate of the troops recently sent to Bangui, as part of a bilateral agreement with the Central African Republic, and not under a UN mandate. The decision was made on the basis of reports that the Rwandan contingent Minusca, which consists of more than 1,600 soldiers and police, is targeting armed groups.
“The rules for deployment of forces deployed within the framework of the UN mission differ from those applicable to deployed forces, under different circumstances or under a different mandate. In this specific case, we have bilateral cooperation with the Central African Republic. We considered that the rules of engagement under this bilateral agreement and at the invitation of the Central African Republic will be different. They will allow us to protect our contingent targeted by armed groups. So the additional forces we have sent, according to this arrangement, must simply allow us to ensure that we can include all situations that would aim to disrupt the election as well as all groups that want to focus on our forces, Paul said. Kagame.
► To read also:Central African Republic: situation still uncertain in Bangui, one week before the election
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