Central African Republic: the armed forces take back the locality of Boda
Soldiers of the Central African Armed Forces, here between Boali and Bangui on January 10, 2021 (illustration).
AFP - FLORENT VERGNES
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
The Central African Armed Forces (FACA) took back control of the town of Boda on Sunday January 24, according to the interim mayor of this locality located 180 kilometers southwest of Bangui, in the Lobaye prefecture.
According to him, Boda had been under the control of the CPC rebels for over a month.
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With our special correspondent in Bangui,
Florence Morice
Aimé Barthélemy Pilapete noted the departure of the rebels from Boda and the return of the Central African Armed Forces in the early morning of January 25.
According to several witnesses, the FACA was supported by Russian allied forces.
"
There was no fighting, since the city was empty,"
says the acting mayor of Boda.
They left on their own.
It was in the past 48 hours that there were detonations of weapons towards the road to Bangui, a few kilometers from the city.
But this morning with the arrival of these forces, there was no exchange of fire.
"
According to security sources, rebels affiliated with the 3R armed groups have fled east and northwest in several directions.
The acting mayor does not hide his relief.
Like many, he had fled when they arrived in December, and has just spent more than a month in the bush.
“
When they arrived, they beat up the gendarmes.
They did damage and that's why we were afraid.
It was not easy because we did not have access to drinking water.
The cost of living is very high.
Children were sent here in town to provide us with salt and soap.
It was not easy
”.
When the rebels left, some looting was reported and attributed by the authorities to local bandits.
In the afternoon, the FACA crisscrossed the city to enforce the curfew decreed in the country.
The FACA and allied forces also carried out an offensive on Sunday around the village of Lambi.
According to the authorities, 44 people were killed on the side of the CPC rebels.
They say they also transported three prisoners to Bangui.
► To read also: Central African Republic: for the first time, the CPC rebels attack the capital
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Central African Republic