Jump to navigation. More information is available in the report. The abduction of children by LRA, especially in the south-east of the country Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou prefectures , remained of concern, along with reports that self-defence militias supported by local authorities had mobilized children into their ranks, principally in the north-west.
Attacks on villages in the north and north-west of the Central African Republic resulting in civilian casualties, including children, were documented during the year. In particular, in February, APRD attacked a campsite of members of the Peuhl ethnic group in Taley near Markounda in Ouham prefecture , killing 18 people, including 4 children. Incidences of rape and other sexual violence against children by armed elements continued to be of grave concern in , even though they remain severely underreported.
Of the hundreds of cases reported to the United Nations, approximately 10 per cent of victims were children, with CPJP and zaraguinas coupeurs des routes among the perpetrators. In the east, the abduction of young girls by LRA for use as sex slaves was reported by several victims who were able to escape. Weak law enforcement systems, compounded by the absence of protective measures to separate victims of sexual violence from their known aggressors in the community, have contributed to a high level of impunity for such crimes.
The education system, especially in the east of the country, was considerably affected by insecurity owing to the presence of armed groups. While schools were not specifically targeted by LRA or other armed groups present in the east, the atmosphere of fear of incursions by armed groups, including LRA, have prevented parents from sending their children to school. During the year, there were cases of lootings of health centres in the east and north of the country during attacks on villages by CPJP in Bamingui-Bangoran prefecture and by LRA in Mbomou, Haut-Mbomou, Haute-Kotto and Vakaga prefectures , which adversely impacted access to health care by the population, including children.
Humanitarian access was a major challenge in several parts of the north and east including Bamingui-Bangoran, Vakaga, Haute-Kotto, Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou prefectures owing to sporadic fighting between armed groups and FACA, as well as increased rebel group attacks throughout the year. Incidents linked to armed attacks and banditry, including kidnappings and killings of humanitarian workers, resulted in a substantial decrease of activities by humanitarian organizations in these areas, especially in Vakaga.
