President Faustin-Archange Touadera of Central African Republic (CAR) has declared a nationwide, overnight curfew following repeated armed attacks in the country.
In a statement late Thursday, Albert Yaloke Mokpem, a spokesman for the presidency said, “A curfew has been imposed throughout the Central African territory from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.”
The curfew comes amid continuous rebel attacks across the country which have prompted United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, to urge all parties to cease hostilities and ensure peace.
The unrest which the CAR, a landlocked central African country, is currently experiencing, has been tense after the Constitutional Council rejected former President Francois Bozize’s candidacy for the Dec. 27, 2020 elections.
in a coup in 2003, the former general seized power, but was later overthrown in a rebellion which took place 2013.
Ever since, civilians, armed forces, and UN peacekeeping forces have continuously been attacked by several militia groups.
In 2020, 424 incidents of violence directly affecting humanitarian workers or property were registered compared to 306 in 2019, representing a 39 per cent increase.
President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who has won a second term as the country’s leader, has reiterated his commitment to peace.
Several opposition parties rejected the results of the elections held on Dec. 27 and called for their cancellation.
Senior officials from the United Nations and other regional organizations have urged all political actors in the country to respect the results from the Dec. 27 polls and to settle all disputes peacefully in accordance with the laws of the country.
This curfew comes in a time when the country, like several other African nations, is battling the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some say the restriction of movement imposed throughout the Central African territory from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m, could in controlling the spread of the coronavirus.
