UN expresses alarm over attacks against civilian, UN targets in CAR

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Tuesday expressed grave alarm over the expanding attacks by armed groups against both civilian and UN targets in some parts of the Central African Republic (CAR) in recent months.

According to the agency, armed men attacked the Muslim neighbourhood of Tokoyo in the south of the country, where numerous civilians were killed and others wounded.

Heavy weapons were used to attack the base of the UN mission in CAR, one peacekeeper was shot and killed during the attack, and another was wounded.

Also in the south, in Alindao and surrounding villages, unconfirmed reports suggest that from May 7 to 9, clashes between anti-Balaka fighters and a group known as UPC led to the killing of some 56 civilians.

Investigations by local UN staff suggest that between March and May 2017 more than 121 civilians were killed, as well as six peacekeepers.

"Violence and rising tensions are spreading to areas of the CAR that had previously been spared the kinds of terrifying violence seen in some other parts of the country, this is highly worrying and should set off loud alarm bells," Zeid said. Endit