The people of Bambari in the prefecture of Ouaka, Central African Republic, that fled from their homes on Monday, December following a heavy shooting have started returning to their houses.
Most of those returning home now are inhabitants of the Akpe and Bornou quarters in the west of Bambari town who had deserted their homes after several hours of heavy gunfire.
“Around 17 hours, this Monday (December 7, 2020) when the detonation of arms started, it was the sound of heavy arms that resonated all over the place and after some minutes, there was the clatter of light arms,” Ousmane, a resident of Bornou quarter told HumAngle last evening
“I, therefore, decided to leave my house with my children to find refuge elsewhere.”
“Most of us abandoned our houses without even locking the doors. The exchange of fire was frightening. We left without knowing who was shooting at whom,” Ousmane’s neighbour who did not want to identify himself revealed.
“In the confusion that was caused by the heavy gunfire, some women even abandoned their babies and ran for their dear lives.”
The shooting, according to one eyewitness, started just after the passage of some military vehicles carrying elements of the national army.
It is not known whether it was the national army or rebel combatants who started the shooting.
Very reliable sources in Bambari told HumAngle early this morning that the gunfire was between combatants of the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) and soldiers of the Central African Republic national army.
Calm has,however, returned to Bambari and the local government authorities are yet to reveal the casualties on both sides.
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