Nearly 5,000 civilians have fled violence in the Central African town of Am Dafok, seeking refuge along the Sudanese border as clashes intensify in the region. The displacement comes amid a fragile political climate, just months ahead of the country’s general elections.
Between September 17 and 22, fighting in Am Dafok forced thousands to gather near a United Nations peacekeeping base, highlighting the persistent vulnerability of the Central African Republic (CAR). Many of those displaced are women, children, and elderly people, seeking safety from attacks on their villages.
“Several villages in the area were attacked with direct threats against civilians and destruction of property, including the burning of at least one house that claimed the life of an elderly person,” the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs reported last Thursday. In total, three civilians were killed and two others injured in the recent violence.
MINUSCA, the UN peacekeeping mission in CAR, has been deployed in the country since 2013 following the seizure of power by the Seleka coalition, a predominantly Muslim group. Their takeover sparked the formation of the anti-Balaka movement, a mainly Christian militia that has targeted Muslim civilians, accusing them of colluding with the Seleka.
Despite the introduction of a peace process and elections in 2016, much of the CAR remains under the control of armed groups. The ongoing civil war in neighboring Sudan has further destabilized the region, intensifying displacement and insecurity in northern CAR.
Vakaga Prefecture, home to Am Dafok, now hosts over 60,000 people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian agencies warn of heightened risks, particularly for children separated from families and women exposed to sexual violence. Limited access due to insecurity has compounded the crisis, leaving vulnerable communities struggling in an economically devastated region.
MINUSCA has increased protection measures, including day and night patrols and the distribution of water. “We have intensified our efforts to safeguard civilians in coordination with the army,” said the mission’s spokesperson, Marchal Florence, during a briefing in Bangui.
The recent surge in displacement underscores the fragility of the Central African Republic and the urgent need for humanitarian support, as civilians bear the brunt of a conflict shaped by both internal divisions and regional instability.
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