Central African Republic (CAR): Thousands flee rebel violence

According to the Associated Press reporting on 1 March 2021, since December 2020, more than 240,000 people have been displaced by violence in Bossangoa (in north-western CAR) and face a humanitarian crisis. A rebel group called "Coalition of Patriots for Change" launched attacks in December to destabilize the newly elected government. They have surrounded the capital, Bangui, and control nearly two-thirds of the country. Yonas Dembele, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, comments: "This is a country that has been in turmoil over the past seven years. The conflict has taken a heavy toll on civilians and almost one-third of all Central Africans have been displaced from their homes in recent years. In January 2020, the UN envoy to CAR warned that the country now faces a "˜serious risk of a security and peacebuilding setback". There have been many armed groups (including foreign jihadists) participating in a conflict which has a distinct religious dimension, as has been seen in the past. This is particularly worrying for the Christian community."