Bangui: Rwanda peacekeepers open Bangui- Beloko road blocked by Anti- Baraka in last 3 days

The key infrastructure road linking Bangui to Cameroun and Tchad was in the last 3 days not operational due to Anti-Baraka Militia that cut it off at PK 9 and Gobongo localities. They have blockaded the road using old vehicles, metal materials and stones then took defensive positions near the localities to stop any movement.

Rwanda Mechanized Infantry Battalion (RwaMechBatt1) serving in the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) intervened on 25 March 2014 and cleared the road after hours fighting the Anti-Baraka.  Six Anti-Balaka militia died on spots and 1 weapon and a grenade were seized. Two Rwanda peacekeepers received minor injuries, received first aid and proceeded with their duties.

The road had been blocked when a Humanitarian Convoy escorted by Burundian peacekeepers was about to reach Bangui from Beloko- Cameroun border. After clearing the road, the Humanitarian Convoy managed to proceed and reached Bangui on 25 March with 70 vehicles carrying humanitarian aids and commercial goods for Central Africa Republic citizens.

RwaMechBatt1 peacekeepers first opened the 700 km humanitarian Corridor on 27 January 2014. Bangui and CAR had been cut off from supplies by armed groups controlling the Bangui-Cameroon main supply route that connects it to the sea port of Douala in Cameroon.

MoD

UM– USEKE.RW