United Nations peacekeepers stand in the market in Bouar, Central African Republic, March 8, 2024. The government sees the CPC as a network of six rebel groups created in 2020 to disrupt the country's presidential and legislative elections in December of that year. Central African Republic officials say the operation to neutralize armed groups or get fighters to surrender is aimed at making the country more peaceful before local elections slated for October. He said rebels either refuse to surrender or they return to armed groups after surrender because of hunger. The Central African Republic has been wracked with violence and instability since 2013, when a rebel group forced then-President Francois Bozize out of office.

Source: Daily Nation July 19, 2024 16:20 UTC