6 -12 July, 2015

1. Gunmen raid state-owned radio station in Bangui

“La Radio nationale attaquée par des hommes armés.” Radio Ndeke Luka, 7 July 2015. In French.

• A group of unidentified armed men attacked the headquarters of the national radio station at around 2:30am on Monday 6 July.
• The group broke through the main entrance, but did not enter the studio, which was guarded by two gendarmes.
• Investigations are ongoing, both by the gendarmerie and EUMAM, the group of military advisors deployed in CAR by the European Union. Several sources refuted the idea that this was simply an armed robbery or sabotage of the institution, saying that the attack was more likely a political statement.

“Gunmen Attack State Radio Offices in CAR Capital.” Voice of America, 7 July 2015. In English.

• Unidentified gunmen attacked the state-owned radio station in Bangui early in the morning on 6 July.
• The assailants were unable to gain access to the main studio, but shattered a control board and briefly took a gendarme hostage before leaving him with a broken arm.
• No motive has yet been given for the attack, and the government has not released a statement on the incident.

2. Police patrol attacked in Bangui

"Les policiers du 8ème arrondissement attaqués par des bandits armés." Radio Ndeke Luka, 9 July 2015. In French.

• A police vehicle was attacked by a group unidentified armed men in the 5th arrondissement of Bangui on the night of 8 July.
• According to police sources, a group of approximately 10 men fired on the police patrol, injuring two policemen.
• The article notes that this attack came less than 72 hours after the state-owned radio station was the victim of an armed attack.

3. Two killed, four injured in attack near Baboua

Mohouna, Job. "Deux morts et quatre blessés à Baboua, bilan d'une attaque des hommes armés non identifiés." Centrafrique Presse Info (CPI), 7 July 2015. In French.

• At least two people were killed and four injured in an attack by unidentified gunmen in the village of Foro, near the town of Baboua.
• No motive was given for the attack.

Analysis

The violence highlighted in the media this week is indicative of the ongoing insecurity in Central African Republic, both in Bangui and in rural areas. While much of the violence has subsided in the past year, sporadic violence persists and small arms remain abundant in the country. With preparations for legislative and presidential elections currently underway, this ongoing instability may pose a challenge to the effective functioning of the elections and other transitional mechanisms.