EU initialised plans 23 July for peacekeeping mission to CAR and Chad to protect refugees in Darfur border region.

Insecurity continued in north. International NGOs called for urgent deployment of UN force to protect civilians. Aid operations suspended in north west after Médecins Sans Frontières staff member killed 11 June, in alleged mistake by Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy.

Reports of continued clashes in north west between government forces, APRD rebels and bandits. Civilians regularly attacked and 2 aid workers abducted near Bozoum 19 May, released 27 May. UFDR rebels in north east agreed with UNICEF to release up to 400 child soldiers. ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo announced investigation into rapes and other violations during 2002-03 conflict between regime of former President Ange- Félix Patassé and former Army Chief of Staff François Bozizé.

Rebel Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) signed peace deal with government 13 April establishing ceasefire in north east. Government forces raided villages in north west 17-19 April, killing 1 in Mann, causing thousands to flee. Rebel Popular Army for the Restoration of the Republic and Democracy (APRD) attacked army convoy 24 April south of Paoua killing 1 soldier.

Bombing and clashes between army, reportedly with French support, and Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) rebels in northern Birao town early March led to mass exodus from town.

Reports continued of killings and human rights abuses in north as army attempted clampdown on UFDR and APRD rebels, despite 2 February peace deals signed in Libya between Miskine faction of UFDR and People’s Democratic Front, and CAR government. Agreements promised end to hostilities and integration of rebels into ranks of security and military forces or public service administration; but 2 UFDR leaders (Sabone and Djotodia) rejected agreement and so far no disarmament has taken place. Estimated 100 LRA fighters reportedly crossed into CAR in mid-February. UNSC supported UNSG Ban Ki-moon’s 20 February recommendation for deployment of UN peacekeeping force in eastern Chad and CAR, but requires consent from Bangui and N’Djamena.

UN Security Council announced intention to send new technical assessment mission to Chad and CAR; called on UNSG Ban Ki-moon to send advance mission and submit recommendations by mid-February on possibility of formal UN presence in eastern Chad and northeast CAR, where rebel attacks increasing. Internally displaced reportedly tripled in 2006 from 50,000 in April to estimated 150,000 at year end.

Security situation deteriorated further. Hundreds of civilians near northern town of Birao fled toward Sudan 1 December after air strikes by French jet fighters against rebels. Army allegedly burned scores of villages in north-central CAR to destroy rebel safe havens, leaving thousands displaced. French-backed government forces reportedly regained control of northeast from UFDR rebels with bloodless takeover of Ouadda-Djalle 11 December.

Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) rebels intent on toppling President François Bozizé took town of Birao 3 November, near border with Darfur and continued towards Bria 600 km from capital Bangui. Government later retook Birao with help of French troops attacked by UFDR. 45,000 fled fighting to refugee camps in Chad. Central African Economic and Monetary Community responded positively to request for help from Bangui and pledged support.

President Francois Bozize called for international military assistance along CAR-Chad-Sudan border after 30 October attack by armed rebels he claimed based in Sudan. Rebels reportedly seized northern town of Birao, saying would push on toward capital Bangui 800km south.