For Many in the Central African Republic, the War Isn’t Over

The Central Africa Republic has been embroiled in civil conflict since a rebel movement from the north descended on the capital, Bangui, and overthrew the government in December 2013. While stability has since improved in some parts of the Central African Republic, the situation in the town of Bambari remains volatile. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that more than 80,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) are in the city and surrounding region. Attacks and counterattacks by armed elements linked with rebel factions and militias have led to cycles of intercommunal violence pitting some members of Muslim and Christian communities against each other. There are multiple internal displacement camps within the city, as well as IDPs who are residing with host families. Bambari is also a temporary home to a small population of Sudanese refugees who fled Darfur in 2011 and who are now unable to move freely between their camp and the town because of the insecurity. While the presence of UN peacekeepers has somewhat stabilized the situation for those in Bambari and around the camps, security will have to improve significantly before people will be able to return home.