The situation in The Central African Republic (CAR) remains precarious. Elections in December 2020 were marred by violence. A new report by Amnesty International reveals its disturbing extent. Here is an excerpt:

Many civilians have been killed and others injured during the election period in the Central African Republic, Amnesty International said today, as it called on authorities to protect civilians and launch independent judicial investigations into abuses and human rights violations by armed groups and security forces.

The security situation worsened ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections on 27 December, ahead of which a newly-formed coalition of six armed groups — the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) — tried to stop the elections taking place. Since 17 December, the CPC has launched a series of attacks against several towns, occupying them. Central African armed forces, supported by foreign troops in the presence of MINUSCA, clashed with the CPC as they attempted to free the occupied towns.

Due to the ongoing clashes and the seizure by the CPC of several areas of the country, it has been difficult to collect information on the impact of the conflict on people’s lives. However, testimonies gathered by Amnesty International — alongside analysis and verification of satellite imagery, a video and photographs, — confirm that many civilians have been killed in several towns including Bambari, in the centre of the country, and Bangui, the capital. Many people have also been displaced in Bangassou, in the south-east, while the supply of essential goods and humanitarian aid into the country was blocked. 

Read the full article here.