HIGHLIGHTS
UNHCR assessed the needs of newly displaced populations following the recent violence in Koui and Bocaranga, in the northwest of the Central African Republic, forcing more than 14,000 people to flee their homes;
In Chad, UNHCR and WFP conducted a joint assessment mission to evaluate food and nutrition security conditions of CAR refugees in camps;
In Cameroon, UNHCR’s return intention survey shows that 73 per cent of refugees do not intend to return to CAR under current conditions;
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the biometric registration continues with more than 18,800 refugees enrolled in UNHCR’s new Biometric Identity Management System;
In the Republic of the Congo, the water and sanitation response is being strengthen amidst challenges regarding water availability.
Operational Context
In the Central African Republic (CAR), following clashes between armed groups, new displacements of population have been reported since mid-April in the Sub-Prefectures of Koui and Bocaranga (Ouham Pendé Prefecture). According to local authorities, more than 14,000 displaced people have fled to Koui, Bocaranga, Bouar and also to Cameroon (about 800 asylum seekers according to local authorities). In Koui, the verification and registration of internally displaced people (IDPs) is underway. In Bouar, IDPs are hosted within families and already receiving humanitarian assistance. Provisional assessments reported the death of dozens of civilians in the localities of Bouzou and Dock, where clashes started, as well as over a hundred of burned houses. In addition, on April 26, a violent storm hit the city of Koui causing damage and destruction to almost 100 houses, some of them hosting IDP families. This episode of violent clashes between rival armed groups – including attacks against civilians – is a reminder that the security situation remains fragile and unpredictable (see map) despite improvement in security conditions observed in some areas. Repeated security incidents, some involving (directly or indirectly) humanitarian workers, might have an impact on access in certain areas.
On 26 April, the United Nations Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in CAR (MINUSCA) until 31 July, 2016, stating that the situation in the country constitutes a threat to international peace and security. The Council also requested that the Secretary-General conduct a strategic review of MINUSCA to ensure proper configuration and adaptation of its future mandate to a post-transition stabilization environment. Furthermore, France announced that the Sangaris military operation, ongoing since December 2013, would close down by the end of 2016 and that its mandate would be taken over by the European military training mission as part of a decision approved by the European Council on 19 April.
Since the end of the month, the new government of President Touadera has been initiating consultations with a view to help restore stability by disarming, demobilising and reintegrating thousands of members of armed groups who fought in the more than two year-long sectarian war. While some sections of the ex-Seleka movement have denounced the new Government, other rebel factions have been regrouping in parts of the country (Bria, Paoua, Kaga Bandoro, Bambari) for peace talks.
In countries of asylum, the security situation along the Cameroon-CAR border strip remains of concern due to the presence of criminal groups; north of the Adamaoua region and the eastern part of the northern regions are also areas on high security watch. In Chad, Presidential elections were held on 10 April. The situation in the country remained relatively stable during the electoral campaign, the vote and at the time of the release of the preliminary results confirming the current President in his position, although the opposition denounced several irregularities throughout the country and reported limited instances of electoral violence. In the Republic of the Congo, following the President’s confirmation as elected candidate by the Constitutional Court on 4 April, heavy fighting erupted in southern Brazzaville districts between ruling party members and the opposition. The army was deployed and thousands of residents fled their homes. Despite heavy security arrangements throughout the country, UNHCR activities were not disrupted. In addition, the start of the rainy season has created some access difficulties in the area of Bétou – where 60 per cent of CAR refugees are hosted – challenging the delivery of humanitarian supplies.