Between 20 and 21 March, at least 20 people, including civilians, were killed in clashes between ex-Seleka and Anti-balaka in the towns of Bakouma and Nzako, Mbomou prefecture. In April, 11 civilians were killed in fighting between Anti-balaka and the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) in loose alliance with herders along the Bangassou-Rafai road. On 2 May, Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R) killed 12 people in NiemYelewa and occupied the town for 12 days. Between 7 and 25 May, UPC’s attacks killed hundreds of civilians and displaced thousands in the southeast including in the towns of Alindao, Nzangba and Mobaye. At least 130 civilians died in Alindao; women were systematically raped. Between 12 and 13 May, Anti-balaka attacked the predominantly Muslim neighbourhood of Tokoyo in Bangassou, Mbomou prefecture, and the MINUSCA base. The UN estimated that at least 72 people were killed, 76 injured and 4,400 displaced, while the national Red Cross estimated at least 115 deaths. From 16 to 18 May, at least 17 civilians were killed in clashes between ex-Seleka and Anti-balaka in the town of Bria, and some 15,000 displaced. On 6 June, at least 18 civilians were killed when Popular Front for the Rebirth of Central African Republic (FPRC) elements attacked Anti-balaka positions in Nzako. From 20 to 23 June, over 80 civilians died during fights between Anti-balaka and FPRC in Bria. Between 27 and 30 June, at least 22 people were killed when Anti-balaka attacked Muslim neighbourhoods in Zemio town, and the local population retaliated. On 1 July, at least 10 people were killed in fighting between the Central African Patriotic Movement (MPC) and Anti-balaka in KagaBandoro, Nana-Gribizi province. Between 29 July and 1 August, clashes between ex-Seleka and Anti-balaka in the town of Batangafo resulted in at least 14 Amnesty International Report 2017/18 civilian deaths and over 24,000 people displaced. In August, clashes between Anti-balaka and UPC in the town of Gambo, near Bangassou, resulted in at least 36 civilian deaths including six national Red Cross workers. In September, clashes between rival FPRC factions left 10 people dead in Bria. Hundreds of Muslims returned home in the southwest but continued to be persecuted; fear of attacks forced them to restrict their movements and, in some cases, hide their religion. In the southeast, international NGOs reported 113 attacks by the LRA and at least 12 civilian casualties and 362 kidnappings. On 10 October, at least 25 people were killed in a mosque when Anti-balaka attacked Kembe town, in the Basse-Kotto province. On 18 October, clashes between Anti-balaka and UPC fighters in Pombolo, in Mbomou province, led to at least 26 deaths. In November, four people were killed when unidentified assailants threw a grenade at a concert in Bangui. VIOLATIONS BY PEACEKEEPING FORCES Reports of sexual exploitation and abuses (“SEA”) by UN peacekeeping troops continued. In January, the UN SecretaryGeneral announced a new task force to prevent and respond to SEA. However, the UN registered 21 SEA cases, including against six children, involving peacekeepers. In June, the Republic of the Congo withdrew nearly 650 troops in light of sexual abuse and misconduct allegations. On 30 September, at least one Mauritanian peacekeeper allegedly drugged and raped a woman in the town of Bambari. MINUSCA rapidly deployed investigators and committed to pursuing the issue. Several SEA complaints involving French forces, deployed under Operation Sangaris, were dismissed following investigations. In March, the Paris Prosecutor requested the dismissal of a rape case which allegedly occurred between 2013 and 2014 at an internally displaced people’s settlement in M’Poko in Bangui. At least 14 Operation 119