France, Jan. 12 -- Barely one week after being sworn in, Touadera is confronting an armed challenge in Haut-Mbomou prefecture, where deadly clashes have erupted between government forces and the Azande Ani Kpi Gbe militia, known as the AAKG.

The security situation remains far calmer than in 2016, when Touadera first came to power amid a civil war that left most of the country under rebel control. But fresh fighting has flared since the presidential election on 28 December.

Since that day, Haut-Mbomou has been rocked by violence. The AAKG, drawn from the Zande community, was originally supported by Russia's Wagner network before rebelling against authorities in Bangui.

No official death toll has been released. The clashes are believed t...