The Central African Republic has declared a 15-day state of emergency throughout the country as a coalition of armed groups seeks to overthrow re-elected President Faustin Archange Touadéra. 

The spokesperson for the presidency of the CAR, Albert YalokéMokpeme made the announcement Thursday on national radio. He said the state of emergency was applicable throughout the country for a period of 15 days from midnight January 21 until February 4. 

The measure comes as an alliance of six armed groups carried out sporadic attacks in towns far from the capital and on the RN3 highway, the crucial supply line linking Bangui with neighbouring Cameroon. 

President ArchangeTouadera was re-elected in a contentious vote in December 27, 2020 and was repelled by the opposition and several armed groups. Militias claiming to represent ethnic or other groups control two-thirds of CAR's territory, raising queries about government’s control of the vast mineral rich central African country.