Central African Republic Crisis Overview

Current Situation

• Over 200,000 people displaced since December.
• Conflict between President Faustin-Archange Touadera and former President Francois Bozize.
• Bozize under UN sanctions, aiming to regain power.

Historical Context

• Former French colony, similar in size to France.
• Population less than 5 million, with significant poverty (less than $2 a day average).
• Post-independence marred by assassinations, coups, and civil wars.
• Long history of unstable governance and ineffective peace deals.

Political Dynamics

• 20 militias control two-thirds of the country.
• Main factions: Seleka (Muslim groups) and Anti-balaka (Christian fighters).
• Complex alliances beyond religious lines.

Key Events

• Bozize took power in a 2003 coup, accused of atrocities.
• 2013: Seleka rebels overthrow Bozize, leading to two years of conflict.
• Anti-balaka alliance forms to oppose Seleka.
• French military intervention and a subsequent peace deal.
• 2016: Touadera elected President.
• 2019: New peace deal with 14 armed groups aiming to integrate militias into government.

Recent Developments

• Bozize returns, barred from presidential election by Constitutional Court.
• Formation of the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), involving both Seleka and Anti-balaka factions, allegedly led by Bozize.
• December elections: Touadera re-elected amidst claims of fraud.
• CPC escalates conflict, exacerbating humanitarian crisis.

International Involvement

• French soldiers, UN peacekeeping, Rwandan army, and Russian trainers present.
• Each foreign entity has distinct interests in the region.

Outlook

• Calls for reviving the 2019 peace deal.
• Necessity for collaboration among Touadera, Bozize, and various militias.
• Challenges include the multiplicity of armed groups and prevalent weaponry.

Further Information

• Al Jazeera provides ongoing coverage and updates on developments in the CAR.
• Check Al Jazeera’s website and YouTube for the latest reports.