200 rebels driven out of southern Central African Republic town: UN mission

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic conducted an operation in the southern town of Boyo, forcing around 200 rebels to leave the town, the mission said on Monday.

In a briefing note, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) said fighters of the Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC), a rebel group, had been occupying houses and the mayor's residence in Boyo.

“The MINUSCA force intervened to ensure the protection of civilians,” the statement said, adding: "Clearing operations are continuing in the town with robust patrols.”

It said Boyo witnessed “serious” violent incidents on Dec. 6-7 in which 15 civilians were killed and nearly 1,500 people displaced.

In a Dec. 22 briefing note, MINUSCA "strongly condemned human rights violations and increased attacks by armed groups" in the central African country, which has been in the grip of a sociopolitical and security crisis since 2012.

In what the UN describes as a "surge of attacks" in the country, its mission documented several incidents, including 23 incidents of abuse and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law between Dec. 13 and 20.