A double attack left at least 11 dead on Tuesday between the towns of Bocaranga and Bozoum in the northwest of the Central African Republic, said several sources, proclaiming a provisional toll. The assault is suspected to have been carried out by the armed group 3R, which holds great influence in this region.
The attack occurred in two phases. The first assault was on the village of Ngoutéré, 45 kilometers from Bocaranga toward Bozoum, prefecture of Ouham-Pendé. This assault was carried out before dawn on a detachment of security forces made up of soldiers and gendarmes. Later, an ambush was set up against reinforcements that were sent from Bocaranga.
The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs this morning reported that the attack left 5 soldiers and 6 civilians dead with 7 others injured. Furthermore, it has displaced nearly 8,500 people from six villages lying between kilometer markers 25 and 45, who have fled to the bush or the town of Bozoum.
The death toll is still unknown, said a local government official studied this morning. Further, it cannot be established up to now because the area is inaccessible with closed roads and landmines. Therefore, it is not easy to firmly establish the extent of the casualties. This has been echoed by the spokesperson of Central African Armed Forces, FACA, who added that everything is under control.
According to OCHA, the attackers were members of the 3R armed group, mostly composed of Fulani fighters. Traditionally, this axis has been under their command. The deployment of a security detachment in Ngoutéré was supposed to mark the return of State authority and the fruit of several operations carried out in this area since early this year.
Last Friday, a major assault took place in Ouaka, some miles from Bambari, centrally located in the country. The target of that attack was the Central African army. Responsibility was taken by the CPC rebel coalition, which has claimed to have killed many soldiers from the Central African Republic and Russian Wagner mercenaries. Reports remain unconfirmed, mentioning seven dead.
On the other hand, the Central African army said it had pushed back the attack and killed seven assailants including a militia leader of the UPC.
These renewed acts of violence prove that the situation remains unstable and the pace for which the country will restore security in the region. The case remains fluid, carrying along with humanitarian and security concerns for the affected communities.