Congo grants refugee status to 5,000 CAR nationals

Congo has granted refugee status to 5,000 people from the Central African Republic (CAR) who fled the recent political situation in their country, the Congolese Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Ministry said in a statement.

The decision affects CAR nationals who arrived in Congo between December 2012 and March 2013, the statement said, adding that CAR security agents can only benefit from the decision after giving up their military status.

On 24 March, the rebel Seleka coalition toppled President Francois Bozize, sparking a new wave of insecurity in CAR.

In June, Congo dispatched 150 troops to Bangui, the CAR capital, to serve under the Central African Multinational Force tasked with ensuring the safety of the civilian population.

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