3 - 9 August, 2015

1. Twelve killed in eastern CAR clashes

"12 morts dans des affrontements entre anti-balaka et ex-Séléka." AFP, via Jeune Afrique, 7 August 2015. In French.

• At least twelve people in eastern CAR were killed in attacks by anti-balaka militias and subsequent reprisal attacks by ex-Seleka fighters.
• An anonymous source said that a group of anti-balaka fighters attacked a camp of herdsmen in the village of Malégbassa, intending to steal cattle, which caused four deaths and injured four others.
• The following day, a group of ex-Seleka fighters and armed Peuhl nomads attacked the neighboring village of Ndoma in retaliation, causing eight deaths.

2. Rwandan peacekeeper kills four, injures eight at MINUSCA base

"Fusillade mortelle inter-Minusca à la base Socati dans le 5ème arrondissement de Bangui." Radio Ndeke Luka, 8 August 2015. In French.

• A Rwandan peacekeeper opened fire inside MINUSCA's Socati base in Bangui's 5th arrondissement, killing four other peacekeepers and wounding eight before being killed.
• A spokesman for the United Nations said that MINUSCA has opened an investigation into the incident and offered condolences to the families of the victims.

"Cinq casques bleus rwandais tués dans une fusillade fratricide." Centrafrique Libre, 8 August 2015. In French.

• A Rwandan peacekeeper killed four peacekeepers and injured eight others on the MINUSCA base in Bangui before being killed himself.
• The motivation behind this attack is still unknown, and a MINUSCA spokesman said that they will open an investigation to understand what caused the incident.

3. Church burned near Kaga-Bandoro

"Une Eglise incendiée dans la nuit à Kaga-Bandoro." Centrafrique Presse Info (CPI), 4 August 2015. In French.

• A Baptist church in the city of Kaga-Bandoro was burned during the night of 3 August. It is still unclear who or what caused the fire.
• In recent weeks, this same church was the site of several burglaries and break-ins.

4. Bozizé announces candidacy for president

“RCA: l’ex-président François Bozizé investi candidat par son parti.” Radio France Internationale (RFI), 7 August 2015. In French.

• The KNK political party officially announced that former Central African president François Bozizé will be their candidate for the upcoming presidential elections, currently scheduled for October 2015.
• In an open letter to the Central African people read at the KNK conference, Bozizé highlighted the need for social cohesion and economic development in the country.
• The KNK’s secretary general, Bertin Béa, also confirmed that Bozizé will return to CAR to campaign despite concerns about security in the country.

“Exiled Central African leader Bozize to stand at election.” Reuters, 10 August 2015. In English.

• Former CAR president François Bozizé announced that he will return from exile to run in upcoming presidential elections. Bozizé fled to Cameroon after being forced from power in March 2013 and currently lives in Uganda and Kenya.
• The article notes that Bozizé’s return to the country may be complicated by an international warrant for his arrest, issued in 2013, and United Nations travel and banking sanctions against him.
• Bertin Bea, the secretary general of Bozizé’s Kwa Na Kwa party, said that there is no law stopping Bozizé from being a candidate, and that it is up to the transitional government to ensure his security during the campaign.