Some members of the community refused to exchange or collaborate with MINUSCA during field activities, particularly during human rights investigations and protection of civilians’ operations, due to threats and fear of reprisals from non-state armed groups, national armed forces and other security personnel. Threats made by elements of the national armed forces were reported in January 2024 in the Equateur region. Similar threats were reported in the Fertit region in March 2024 where Sudanese combatants threatened the population with reprisals for collaborating with MINUSCA. 31. These threats affected the willingness of the broader population to collaborate with MINUSCA, with members of the communities refusing to speak directly and openly to MINUSCA because of fear of reprisals.