Situation Overview:
In the early morning of 5 December, an attack was launched in several parts of Bangui (Ombella Mpoko province) by groups of armed men of the so-called ‘anti-Balaka’ militia coupled with armed men loyal to former president Bozize. Intensive shooting and use of heavy weapons could be heard for several hours and later became more sporadic. The night between 5 and 6 December was relatively quiet (French soldiers patrolled) with only single shots being heard from time to time, a situation which continued during 6 December. Door to door searches during the night prompted displacement of men in particular. Both sides are committing unimaginable atrocities. The death toll will rise.
Simultaneously, tension has been rising in other parts of the country including Bossangoa (Ouham province) and Damara (Ombella Mpoko province). In Bossangoa, the ex-Seleka retreated from town but regrouped and fired onto the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Catholic Mission meanwhile approximately 400 Anti-Balaka surrounded the Liberte School where Muslim IDPS are congregated. FOMAC is securing the School, Catholic Misison and the FOMAC base that has roughly 600 IDPs. The Anti-Balaka issued a warning that they will not leave until ‘all Muslims at the site are dead’.
Bozoum was attacked on 6 December and in Beboua a Pastor and his son were killed by three men reported to be Peulhs.
