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UN: Thousands Fleeing Unrest in Central African Republic


The U.N. refugee agency says nearly 63,000 people have fled the Central African Republic to neighboring countries since the start of the latest violence there late last year.

A statement from the agency Tuesday said most of the refugees have fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, while others have gone to Chad, the Republic of Congo and Cameroon.

UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards said another 206,000 people have been internally displaced. He told VOA his agency is very concerned about the situation in the Central African Republic, noting there have been reports of serious human rights violations such as rapes and shootings.

The refugee agency said in recent days that two U.N. staff members were attacked in the capital, Bangui, and were seriously wounded. The husband of one of the aid workers was killed.

Fighting between government troops and Seleka rebels erupted in December. The rebels seized Bangui in March, forcing President Francois Bozize to flee the country. The transitional government has not been able to restore law and order.
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