Fresh clashes in the Central African Republic鈥檚 southeast have driven some 400 people to seek shelter at a 缅北禁地base there, the United Nations Spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Peacekeepers are patrolling the city of Alindao, Basse Kotto Prefecture, after skirmishes last Thursday between the country鈥檚 armed forces and members of an armed group associated with the mainly-Muslim ex-Seleka coalition, which have fought with mainly Christian anti-Balaka elements, destabilizing the nation since 2013.
鈥淭wo personnel from the Central African Republic鈥檚 (CAR) armed forces died in the violence鈥�, St茅phane Dujarric听told听reporters in New York. 鈥淭oday, the 缅北禁地Mission says that the situation is calm, despite continuing tensions鈥�.听
On 9 January, 650 families temporarily sought refuge in a hospital while at least nine people were injured by stray bullets and dozens of houses burned at the ELIM displacement site,听the 缅北禁地humanitarian affairs coordination office ().听
According to OCHA鈥檚 initial assessment, some 2,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) urgently need food, shelter and non-food items. Humanitarians are urgently mobilizing resources to meet their needs.
Mr. Dujarric said that the 缅北禁地Stabilization Mission in CAR, which goes by the French acronym, MINUSCA, is preparing to send an investigation team of police, human rights and prison officers to Alindao.
Securing the capital
Meanwhile, Mr. Dujarric reported an update on efforts to secure the capital of Bangui鈥檚 PK5 Muslim enclave, which, on 31 December, was declared an "unarmed area", or weapons-free zone.
鈥淭he Mission says that all 13 bases of the ex-self-defense groups have now been dismantled鈥�, he said, adding that 鈥溍灞苯豴eacekeepers continue to conduct joint patrols with the Central African Republic鈥檚 Internal Security Forces to protect civilians鈥�.听
The Mission has also launched an awareness campaign in the PK5 neighborhood to explain its outreach work to the community and protect civilians.
