Central African Republic

The government of the Central African Republic has undergone many illegitimate seizures of power, specifically of the presidency. These transfers of power are mostly the result of military coups. The government also hosts democratic elections, which represent the other transfers of power in the history of the country. Depending on the composition of government officials, the Central African government is inconsistently under arms embargos and/or economic sanctions from the United States, France, the United Nations, or the African Union. Several former Central African government officials have been tried and convicted in International Criminal Court and sentenced to exile.

Disarmament - The security within the Central African Republic would greatly benefit from disarmament practices. The disarmament of rebel groups in the area would greatly decrease their ability to commit acts of terrorism on civilians.

Cease-Fire Agreements - Much like the goals of disarmament practices, cease-fire agreements would significantly lower the number of deaths caused by the current conflict in the Central African Republic. Creating a cease-fire agreement would also encourage collaboration between rebel forces and the Central African government for the benefit of both parties.

Central African Republic Leader Slams West for Looting Continent's Wealth, Sparking Migrant Crisis September 22, 2023
[UN News] The President of the Central African Republic on Thursday accused Western countries of triggering a migration crisis by pillaging Africa's natural resources and impoverishing the continent through slavery and colonization.
Cameroon, Central African Republic Blame Rebels for Kidnappings September 15, 2023
[VOA] Yaounde, Cameroon -- Government officials in Cameroon and the Central African Republic say the number of civilian kidnappings has spiked along their borders, with armed gangs and rebels demanding as much as $50,000 in ransom.
Central African Republic Grapples With Sudan Refugee Crisis September 10, 2023
[Dabanga] Geneva -- The United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Central African Republic, Mohamed Ayweya, urged the international community not to abandon nations facing mounting global and regional crises. Speaking at a press conference in the Geneva UN HQ on Wednesday, he emphasised this point, citing the recent influx of approximately 70,000 individuals from Sudan […]
Japan, WFP Unite to Deliver Food Assistance to Crisis-Hit People in Cameroon and Central African Republic September 8, 2023
[WFP] Yaoundé/Bangui -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a contribution of USD $3.3 million (equivalent to 450 million Japanese Yen, or approximately 2 billion XAF) from the Government of Japan. This funding will be used to provide integrated food and nutrition assistance to people severely affected by ongoing crisis in Cameroon and […]
Abortion - Women More At Risk of Death in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings September 7, 2023
[MSF] Complications following unsafe abortions are up to seven times more severe in fragile or conflict-affected settings: these are the findings of one of the very first studies on the subject, carried out in two referral hospitals in Bangui in the Central African Republic and Jigawa State in northern Nigeria. Behind the statistics, real stories […]
Wagner, Conflict and Poverty Drive Death Rate Above Crisis Levels - but Where's the Aid? September 6, 2023
[The Conversation Africa] The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the poorest countries in the world. Its GDP per capita in 2022 was estimated at US$491 per year.
Central African Republic - UN Expert Calls for Action to End Impunity August 25, 2023
[Africa Renewal] A UN expert has expressed grave concern about the human rights situation in the Central African Republic.
'Tensions and Divisions' Eroding Human Rights - UN Expert August 25, 2023
[UN News] An independent UN expert expressed grave concern on Thursday over the human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), calling for political dialogue and a new "climate of trust".
Former Militia Leader Denies War Crimes Charges August 25, 2023
[DW] Maxime Mokom is accused of crimes against humanity for atrocities committed against Muslim civilians in the Central African Republic. ICC judges are determining whether he should stand trial.
The Central African Republic's Constitutional Referendum August 24, 2023
[State Department] On August 21, the Constitutional Court of the Central African Republic validated the results of the July 30 constitutional referendum, which, among other changes, removes presidential term limits, and undercuts the country's democratic governance. We believe that regular peaceful transitions of power yield strong institutions and more stable and prosperous countries. The United […]
Health Emergency in Central African Republic Requires Urgent Response August 23, 2023
[MSF] In the shadow of conflict, the Central African Republic (CAR) is grappling with a decades-long health crisis. Here, in a country of 5.5 million people, access to healthcare is all but impossible and life expectancy is little more than 54 years.
Russian Mercenary Boss Posts Video, Location Hints at Africa August 22, 2023
[allAfrica] Cape Town -- Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, made a rare video appearance released on Telegram channels linked to the private military company, Al Jazeera reports.

Parties Involved

Séléka

Séléka is a coalition of rebel groups working to overthrow the government of the Central African Republic. The coalition is composed of the groups; the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity, the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP), the Patriotic Convention for the Salvation of Kodro, Union of Republican Forces, and the Alliance for the Rebirth and Rebuilding. It is said by analysts of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change that many of the members of Séléka are from the North of the country, where diamond artistry and trading was the most common occupation. When President Bozizé attempted to centralize the diamond market in the Central African Republic, many men working in this market took issue with the government and thus Séléka, began to form. The group has also attracted persons not native to the Central African Republic, mostly other Africans from neighboring countries with interests in the political endeavors of the country.

International Actors

There are a handful of international actors active in the Central African Republic. Among the most prevalent are the United Nations, the African Union, France, the European Union, and Russia. The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA, was established in September 2007 and has provided peacekeeping and police personnel despite the deliberate target of international aid workers by rebel groups. The mission has helped increased security within the country. Russia and France have also been aiding in the security of the country by supplying military advisors and support, in the form of troops, to the CAR government and military forces. The European Union has imposed economic sanctions on the country’s government following coups by rebel forces and has since provided military missions and aid to the country on an and off since the early 2000s. The African Union provides diplomatic guidance in the form of observers in elections and by facilitating the negotiation of cease-fire agreements between the government and rebel forces. In addition to diplomatic assistance, the AU, in collaboration with the United Nations, also provides humanitarian aid to the country through food and the management of housing for displaced persons. Finally, international non-governmental organizations such as The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) are also sent in observers to ensure fair and legitimate democratic elections within the country.

Central African Republic

2014

Jan 01

2014 – Present

Rebel groups, including Séléka and Union for Peace in the Central African Republic, have continuously attacked each other, other smaller rebel groups, civilians, political leaders, and international aid workers. Several early members of Séléka and other significant political leaders have been sentenced to trial in the International Criminal Court andContinue Reading

2013

Mar 24

President François Bozizé Overthrown

Séléka officially overthrows President François Bozizé, receiving condemnations from the United Nations Security Council and the African Union.Continue Reading

2007

Jan 01

Séléka

Séléka launches a military attack on the government of President François Bozizé while also capturing more than 6 Central African towns, resulting in the displacement and death of civilians and government officials.Continue Reading

2005

Jan 01

Hostility and Displacement.

Rebel groups, including the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity, attacked villages and towns throughout the country resulting in the displacement of almost 170,000 people between 2003 and 2006.Continue Reading

2003

May 01

EU and U.S. Step-in

Denouncing the legitimacy of the coup, the European Union and the United States imposed economic sanctions and the African Union imposed diplomatic sanctions on the government, now ruled by General Francois BozizeContinue Reading

Mar 01

Military Coup 4

Rebel troops overthrew the government in the name of General Francois Bozize which resulted in the dissolving of the parliament and constitution.Continue Reading

1996

Apr 18

Military Coup 3

Military coup against the government by rebel soldiers resulted in foreign intervention, including French military aid and a diplomatic council negotiating a cease-fire, composed of Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon, and Mali. As a result of this conflict, about 70,000 people were displaced and about 1,000 were killed.Continue Reading

1981

Sep 01

Military Coup 2

Successful military coup by the Military Committee for National Recovery, followed by a suspension of the constitution and limits on political activities.Continue Reading

1965

Dec 31

Military Coup

Country’s first military coup and the abolishment of the constitutionContinue Reading

1960

Jul 12

Independence

The Central African Republic gains independence from FranceContinue Reading

Central African Republic

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