7-13 December 2015

1. Unrest in Bangui after Bozizé barred from elections

Domestic, independent Media

“Nouvelles violences à Bangui.” Radio Ndeke Luka, 10 December 2015. In French.

• Several people were injured in Bangui’s 4^th and 5^th arrondissements on 10 December after barricading the streets to protest the exclusion of François Bozize from the presidential elections.
• Some sources reported that the unrest was also caused by the recent arrest of an Anti-balaka leader by the armed forces of CAR (FACA).

International Media

"New unrest erupts in CAR after ex-president barred from vote." Agence France Presse (AFP), 10 December 2015. In English.

• Protestors erected barricades in the streets of Bangui following the announcement that former CAR president François Bozize will not be allowed to run in the upcoming presidential elections.
• According to MINUSCA forces, international troops intervened and dismantled the barricades.
• There are no reports on injuries stemming from this unrest, but sources say that gunfire was heard in the barricaded areas. 

2. Constitutional referendum held; incidents of violence and intimidation reported

International/Foreign Media

"Referendum held in much of Central African Republic despite disruptions." UN News Centre, 13 December 2015. In English.

• The UN's top peacekeeping official, Hervé Ladsous, reported that much of CAR voted in the constitutional referendum on 13 December, but warned that there are violent spoilers who are threatening to derail the political process.
• According to Ladsous, at least three UN peacekeepers were injured in cases of violence in Bangui and Bria.
• Ladsous also reported that "spoilers resorted to violence and intimidation of voters and electoral staff thereby preventing the holding of the referendum despite the actions of MINUSCA" in the regions of Brao, Bossangoa, Ndele, and Kaga-Bandoro.

"Two dead as violence mars 'make or break' C. Africa vote." Agence France Presse, via ReliefWeb, 13 December 2015. In English.

• At least two people were killed and dozens wounded in fighting in Bangui during a constitutional referendum on 13 December.
• Much of the fighting centered around Bangui's majority Muslim PK5 neighborhood.
• Some ex-Seleka and anti-balaka leaders threatened to boycott the vote, and voter turnout was low in the regions of Ndele, Birao, and Kaga Bandoro, where it was reported that armed groups fired shots and threatened residents.