Over 100 Central African soldiers seek refuge in Cameroon as conflict engulfs country

By Tata Mbunwe

About 117 soldiers from neighboring Central African Republic crossed over to seek refuge in Cameroon this week as rebels rein terror in most parts of the country.

The soldiers we received by Cameroonian soldiers who disarmed them before receiving them into the country, according to the United Nations Refugee Commission in the area.

They crossed into Garoua-Boulaï in the East Region on December 23, according to the East Regional Delegate for Communication, Jean-Claude Assale.

At least 1,600 Central African civilians also crossed over into Cameroon to escape rising violence in parts of the country, the BBC reports, citing a UNCHR spokesperson.

The Central Africa Republic held elections this Sunday during which incumbent President Foisting Archange Touadéra is seeking a second term.

The elections held smoothly, with a “huge turnout” especially in the capital Bangui but a conflict prevented people from voting in many parts of the country, Al Jazeera reported.

Civilians loyal to armed groups had threatened to march on the streets of Bangui after former President Francois Bozize was kicked out of the Presidential race by the Constitutional Court.

Seleka armed groups and anti-Balaka militia are controlling several parts of the country, after seizing the country’s fourth-largest city last week.