Central African Republic: CAR Rebels Step Up Violence With Second Attack in Two Days

Rebels in the Central African Republic have attacked the south-eastern city of Bangassou, amid a spike in violence linked to presidential elections and creation of a new rebel coalition.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MINUSCA) said Bangassou was targeted Sunday morning and five fighters were killed. MINUSCA said it was assuring the security for people in the area with robust patrols.

A church leader in Bangassou, 480 kilometres east of Bangui, also confirmed the attack, according to the AFP news agency, describing gunshots and explosions from 5am local time.

The attack is the latest in a wave of violence coinciding with elections on 27 December. A new rebel coalition tried to disrupt polls and launched an offensive.