What is Happening in the Central African Republic?
Violence has erupted throughout the Central African Republic (CAR) as a rebel coalition attempts to disrupt the successful re-election campaign of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. Known as the Coalition for Patriots for Change (CPC), the group is formed from earlier militant groups who have caused unrest within the country.
The CPC claims their recent uprisings will force the government to engage in dialogue with them, through analysts say the timing of the attacks coinciding with elections suggest their intention to prevent Touadéra’s presidency.
Touadéra, who has provisionally won the December 27 election, brokered a peace deal with 14 of these groups in 2019. However, the recent violence undermines the deal, with voting disrupted outside the capital as a result.
Attacks by the CPC, including one on Touadéra’s second home outside the capital, have been stopped by the Central African Armed Forces.
Russian Involvement
Russia has provided troops at Touadéra’s request, according to the CAR government, while United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces are at their highest alert. They also helped broker the CPC peace deal.
Supporting the CAR gives Russia access to the country’s mineral wealth and extend its interest in Africa.
What is Expected Next?
Violence is expected to continue, but a UN military presecene and Russian aid will allow some level of control to remain.
Touadéra still needs the Constitutional Court to validate his win in order to keep the 2019 deal in place, and his loss would enable the CPC to be bolder in their attacks.
Written by Sarah Chong
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