The number of people fleeing violence in the Central African Republic continues to grow as tensions remain high. On January 15, the UN refugee agency said the number doubled in just a week to nearly 60,000. As violence simmers, aid organisation warn that the growing insecurity is preventing them from assisting those in need. This comes after the Central African Republic’s Constitutional Court on MON confirmed the re-election of President Faustin-Archange Touadera in the first round of a presidential election on December 27 with 53.16% of the vote. The self-styled Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) has threatened to over-run the capital, Bangui, and is seeking to overthrow Touadera.

The CPC struck at Bangui’s outskirts last Wednesday but were beaten back by federal soldiers, UN peacekeepers, Rwandan and Russian troops. Officials fear the CPC now has fighters inside the city, preparing for more attacks.