Search
  1. Home
  2. Africa
  3. Central African Republic

Government imposes stricter control of "closed" DRC border

    NAIROBI

    The government of the Central African Republic (CAR) has decided to control its riverine border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) more strictly, which had been officially closed since 17 July following a failed coup launched in its capital city of Bangui on 28 May, AFP reported on Wednesday.

    Despite this official closure of the 1,000-km Ubangui river border, commercial traffic on the river has continued, largely unhindered by authorities.

    A UN source in the northern DRC village of Zongo said an estimated 20,000 refugees - both civilian and military - fled the CAR during 10 days of violence that followed the failed putsch. The source added that it was highly likely that the refugees would not be welcomed back in Bangui in the near future due to continued instability, and that this situation would likely continue for several months longer. Members of the Yakoma group remain particularly hesitant to return, fearing retribution for being of the same ethnic group as alleged coup leader and former CAR military ruler Andre Kolingba.

    In Bangui, a curfew remains in effect, and forces sent by Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi to aid forces loyal to CAR President Ange-Felix Patasse continue to guard the presidential palace.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

    Share this article

    Our ability to deliver compelling, field-based reporting on humanitarian crises rests on a few key principles: deep expertise, an unwavering commitment to amplifying affected voices, and a belief in the power of independent journalism to drive real change.

    We need your help to sustain and expand our work. Your donation will support our unique approach to journalism, helping fund everything from field-based investigations to the innovative storytelling that ensures marginalised voices are heard.

    Please consider joining our membership programme. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful impact on how the world responds to crises.

    Become a member of The New Humanitarian

    Support our journalism and become more involved in our community. Help us deliver informative, accessible, independent journalism that you can trust and provides accountability to the millions of people affected by crises worldwide.

    Join