A mission at the request of Faustin Archange Touadera.

French fighter planes carried out, Saturday, January 9, a second overflight mission of the Central African Republic which is going through new political turbulence, announces a press release from the Elysee. 

This second mission comes as insurgents launched attacks in two cities across the country.

One took place in Bouar, 440 km north-west of the capital Bangui, and the other in Grimari, 300 km north-east of the capital. 

"France's solidarity with the Central African people"

The assailants attacked a town in Bouar early in the day and heavy fighting was reported at a military base.

"At the request of President Touadera, and in agreement with the Minusca (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, Editor's note), the President of the Republic ordered the realization of a second overflight mission over Central African territory by fighter planes, after that carried out on December 23, "said this statement. 

"It marks France's solidarity with the Central African people and its condemnation of the continued attempts to destabilize the country carried out by armed groups." 

According to provisional results released on Monday by the Central African electoral commission, Faustin-Archange Touadera was reelected with nearly 54% of the vote in the first round of the presidential election on December 27. 

The election was marked by offensives by rebel groups trying to disrupt the ballot, after former President François Bozizé's candidacy was rejected. 

Voting had been blocked in some towns after attacks and destruction of voting material. 

Condemnation of the Élysée 

François Bozizé and some of his allies are being investigated for rebellion, assassination and theft.

His party has previously rejected government accusations that the former president was planning a coup, but some in his party hinted they were collaborating with the rebels. 

Emmanuel Macron "reiterated his firm condemnation of the attempts by armed groups and certain political leaders, including François Bozizé, to undermine the peace agreements and the constitutional electoral process supported by the international community", said the statement sent on Saturday by the Elysee Palace . 

Rich in diamonds, wood and gold, the former French colony has been rocked by five coups d'état and numerous rebellions since its independence in 1960. 

The successive waves of violence since the overthrow of François Bozizé in 2013 have claimed thousands of lives and forced more than a million people to flee. 

With AFP

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