UN peacekeeping in the Central African Republic (CAR) has reported the death of at least 6 persons in a rebel attack in the country’s northeast.

The attack is said to be perpetuated by elements for an armed group operating in the CAR known as the 3R. According to a spokesperson for the UN’s 12,000-strong MINUSCA mission, the attack was centred at the army positions in the village of Mann.

“This morning at dawn elements from the 3R (Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation) launched a large-scale attack against Central African army positions in the village of Mann… Several civilians were wounded in the attack,” the spokesman was quoted saying.

History Of Conflict In CAR

Conflict in the Central African Republic dates back to 2004 with the rebellion by the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) in North-Eastern CAR, led by Michel Djotodia just after François Bozizé (President of CAR from 2003 – 2013) seized power in 2003.

The 3R is one of several armed groups to have emerged from the different conflicts in the CAR. Majorly political, the conflict in the CAR are targeted at toppling seating governments based on ethnic or religious disagreements.

The recent conflict in the CAR started in 2020 when President Faustin-Archange Touadéra’s ballot was hampered by armed groups in the run-up before polling day. Fewer than 3 voters came out to vote amid rising insecurity, leading the government to launch a full attack on rebels, with assistance from UN peacekeepers, Rwandan special forces and the Russian paramilitaries. The CAR army has been able to wrestle much of the territory from rebel control.

From 2019 till date, about 97 people, including 4 peacekeepers, have died in various political based conflicts majorly by the 3R in the CAR.