Thousands flee renewed violence in CAR

Thousands of people have fled renewed violence in the Central African Republic to neighbouring Chad and Cameroon.

Over 6,100 #refugees from Central African Republic cross border into Chad and Cameroon to escape new tension and fighting since mid-June.

— UNHCRNews (@RefugeesMedia) July 8, 2016

More than 6,000 people have fled to Chad & Cameroon to escape Central African Republic violence – our MelissarFleming briefs at UNGeneva

— UNHCRNews (@RefugeesMedia) July 8, 2016

UNHCR helps register 5,643 CAR #refugees in 2 Chad villages near the border. Another 555 refugees crossed to Yamba village in east Cameroon.

— UNHCRNews (@RefugeesMedia) July 8, 2016

The United Nations Refugee Agency said it had helped register some 6000 Central African refugees in Chad, a further 555 were registered in Cameroon.

The UNHCR says people started fleeing on June 12 when clashes erupted between livestock herders and local farmers in the Ouham Pende region.

The clashes, the agency said, are seasonal but this year rival ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka militias have been involved.

The tensions have affected 25,000 to 30,000 people in the country.

The escalated fighting this year has also affected a further 25,000 to 30,000 people within CAR, including many internally displaced.

— UNHCRNews (@RefugeesMedia) July 8, 2016

Refugees reportedly told the agency they had seen killings, kidnappings, looting and the torching of their homes.

Most fled direct attacks on their villages while some said they had run away fearing the fighting would come to their homes, reporting the presence of heavily armed fighters.

CAR #refugees arriving in Chad and Cameroon said they had seen killings, kidnappings, looting and the torching of their homes in north-west.

— UNHCRNews (@RefugeesMedia) July 8, 2016

.#UNHCR shares growing international concern about displacement in north-west CAR and rising tension and clashes, including in Bangui.

— UNHCRNews (@RefugeesMedia) July 8, 2016

The Central African Republic was plunged into chaos in March 2013 when President Francois Bozize was overthrown by the Seleka rebel alliance.

Agencies