CAR Declares State of Emergency Amid Rebel Attacks

The Central African Republic has declared a 15-day state of emergency. Presidential spokesperson Albert Yaloke Mokpeme is reported to have said that the state of emergency, which starts on January 22, 2021,  will allow authorities "to make arrests without going through national prosecutors". The announcement follows a surge in attacks by armed groups seeking to overturn the December 27 presidential election. President Faustin Archange Touadera has been declared the winner by the country's constitutional court. Only one third of eligible voters cast their ballots, primarily due to security concerns. The top UN official in the country has appealed to the Security Council more peacekeepers and equipment. Seven UN peacekeepers have been killed in recent weeks.