Armed fighters seize town in Central African Republic, dozens killed

Unidentified armed fighters have seized the town of Am-Dafok in the Vakaga prefecture of the Central African Republic (CAR), leaving at least 28 people dead and 25 others injured, Radio Ndeke Luka reported, citing local sources.

“They cross the border from Sudan to reach Am-Dafok, then leave again before returning to commit atrocities,” the report said.

The broadcaster added that, in addition to the security crisis, Am-Dafok is facing looting of hospitals, making access to medical care “virtually impossible.”

Am-Dafok is a border town in the northeast of CAR, located in Vakaga prefecture directly on the frontier with Sudan, opposite the Sudanese town of Umm Dafuk. As of 2020, the town had a population of around 4,300 people.

One refugee told Ndeke Luka that “the town is completely destroyed,” with armed groups taking medicines and food supplies.

According to the radio station, the attack on the town took place on Tuesday. Am-Dafok remains under the control of the fighters and is cut off from the capital, Bangui. Many residents have fled their homes and are seeking refuge at a base of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

By Tamilla Hasanova