Regional force says no rebel forces in northwest

The peacekeeping force of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (CEMAC) says it has not found any evidence of anti-government rebel activity in the northwest of the Central African Republic. A 120-man contingent of Republic of Congo troops, which forms part of the CEMAC force, reconnoitred the area from 6 -9 September. The commanding officer of the Congolese troops, Col Jose Mongha, told IRIN their mission was to verify reports that Abdoulaye Miskine, an ally of ousted President Ange-Felix Patasse, was terrorising residents in the northwest. "None of Miskine's men are in the area. However, there are highwaymen and cattle raiders," Mongha said. Believed to be of Chadian origin, Miskine commanded a 300-man pro-Patasse militia in the president's war against Francois Bozize, the current leader of the CAR. Mongha said that there were military and gendarmerie checkpoints at intervals along the 600-km-road from the capital, Bangui, to the border with Cameroon. However, their presence has failed to stop armed Fulani cattle raiders and highwaymen from operating in remote areas. He added that the poor state of roads near the Cameroonian border was hindering the efforts by military to secure the area.