UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR Regional Update Central African Republic Situation 16-22 August

27 August 2014

 Mahamat Kamoun officially took office on 14 August. The PM intends to form a broadly based government, which will revitalise the political process and achieve the implementation of the cease-fire signed in Brazzaville in late July. During the week, a delegation of political leaders went to Brazzaville in order to engage in further discussions with the Congolese president and acting mediator for the Central African crisis.

 A press release published on 17 August by Ex-Seleka general Noureddine Adam proclaimed the establishment of “a free, independent and secular state” in north-eastern CAR under the name of Dar El Kouti.

 Heavy fighting between international forces and armed elements took place in Bangui mainly affecting the 3rd district on 19 and 20 August when EUFOR troops came under attack during a patrol. Until the evening of the 20 August, there was heavy fighting between EUFOR/Sangaris forces and armed elements occurring mainly in the PK5 and Castor neighbourhoods. Among the dead is a Central African Red Cross volunteer but the fighting also took its toll on urban refugees killing one and injuring two others. This renewed violence has cause new displacement in affected neighbourhoods and IDP sites. More than 6,000 people fled from the Frères Castors and Paroisse St. Trinité sites but returned gradually as violence subsided. The situation remained unstable on the morning of 21 August as the humanitarian community worked to identify the additional humanitarian needs created by the aforementioned incidents.

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