The interim Humanitarian Coordinator, Marc Vandenberghe, and the entire humanitarian community in the Central African Republic (CAR) condemn renewed violence against the civilian population in Bangui during clashes on 26 September. He calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, to protect civilians and ensure that they can relocate from insecure areas.
On 26 September, violent clashes erupted between the residents of PK5 in Bangui’s 3rd district and the 5th district after the death of a young Muslim taxi motorcyclist. This new incident left over a dozen people dead and several injured. Houses were looted in other neighborhoods and many burned. Thousands of people have fled the areas with heightened tension to seek refuge mostly with host families and in displacement sites.
“I am extremely concerned about the high number of people killed during these clashes, as well as the number of people injured, houses burned and by this new wave of displacement. This renewed situation represents a big step backwards on the return plan for internally displaced persons; set-up by the Humanitarian CountryTeam” said Mr. Vandenberghe. “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to wish a speedy recovery to the injured people”.
“Under international humanitarian law, I call for the respect of obligations incumbent on all parties to protect all civilians in CAR and to preserve health facilities, enabling injured people, other patients and health workers to have free and safe access to these facilities” added Mr. Vandenberghe.
Bangui still has 30 sites which hosted 27,315 displaced people before the incidents of Saturday 26 September. Over the past few years, the country experienced a major political crisis which continues to affect almost the entire population. About 2,7 million people, over half of the population are in dire need of assistance.
