Twenty former Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) and Anti-Balaka rebels who were recently disarmed in Alindao have arrived in the national capital, Bangui.
Seventeen of the repentant fighters were from UPC while three were Anti-Balaka who laid down their arms on Saturday, Nov. 13, in the presence of local administrative and military authorities notably the sub-prefect, elements of the national army, FACA, as well as Russian mercenaries.
They left Alindao on Sunday, Nov. 14, for Bambari and finally to Bangui in FACA vehicles.
However, on arriving at Bokolobo village, their former colleagues of the UPC laid ambush on them but they were protected by Russian mercenaries until they arrived at Bambari and finally Bangui.
According to local security sources, the attack was occasioned by the fact that rebel leader, Ali Darassa was against some of his elements laying down their arms.
“That is why he did everything to stop them from falling into the trap set up by the government. The attack in Bokolobo was very violent,” a security source informed HumAngle.
“In the convoy were FACA soldiers as well as Russian mercenaries who fiercely responded to the assailants who ended up fleeing into the bushes.”
On Saturday, Nov. 13, the former combatants had abandoned the marquis in the localities of Kongbo and Bavica before coming together in Carama village and calling on the government to come and disarm them.
Several military and civilian authorities subsequently arrived at Alindao town on Saturday, among them the sub prefect, FACA soldiers and their Russian allies to take part in the disarmament exercise.
The former combatants were eventually disarmed and officially transferred to the base of the Russian mercenaries and then to FACA soldiers in Alindao before being moved to Bangui.
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