Tag: Central African Republic

The Bangui Carousel: How the recycling of political elites reinforces instability and violence in the Central African Republic

The successful February 2016 election of President Faustin Archange Touadéra marks a new beginning for the Central African Republic (CAR) and provides hope that the country is now stabilizing after three years of violence and political transition. Touadéra has been endorsed by many of his political opponents, and the country remained largely peaceful in the weeks following the elections.

In CAR: An Anti-Balaka Leader Close to Bozize Integrated to the National Police Force

While all eyes are turned to the direction of the Central African government and its new leader Faustin Archange Touadera, the hope borne of the elections last March is progressively making way for fear. 

Striking Photos Highlight CAR's Hidden Conflict

On July 12, the French  news outlet Le Monde published a series of breathtaking photos on the Central African Republic's hidden conflict, taken by french photographer, William Daniels. 

In Central African Republic, Rampant Impunity Continues to Pose a Serious Threat to Peace

June 21 was an historic day for many victims of war in the Central African Republic (CAR). This was the day that the wheels of international justice, through the International Criminal Court, finally turned on Jean Pierre Bemba, the former vice-president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for the rape and pillage committed by his troops in CAR between 2002 and 2003. After 13 years, this judgment finally felt like something of a real victory for defenders of justice and other innocent Central Africans living under a climate of total impunity for perpetrators of atrocities.

TIME Op-ed: How to Stabilize the Central African Republic

Think the ultimate victor in the U.S. presidential race faces a tough task? The effort to unite a divided America pales in comparison to what lies ahead for Faustin Archange Touadéra, a mathematics professor by tradewho was elected president of the Central African Republic (CAR) last week. Touadéra received a strong mandate from the population, capturing 63% of the votes. The nation’s troubles are, however, far from over, and his immense to-do list might scare many heads of state into early retirement.

Amb. Samantha Power: Democratic Journey is Bright Light for CAR

Central African Republic’s President, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, assumed office on March 30, 2016, vowing “to make CAR a united country, a country of peace, a country facing development.” During his inaugural reception in Bangui last week, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power gave remarks on “Crafting Peace by the Way We Live Our Lives” to honor the newly inaugurated president. 

World Wildlife Day 2016: Blood Ivory - The Elephant in the Room

Thursday, March 3rd 2016 is World Wildlife Day. This year, the theme centers on protection of elephants in particular. Recognizing the links between wildlife trafficking and the perpetration of atrocities in central and eastern Africa, Enough is calling on U.S. Congress to pass critical anti-wildlife trafficking legislation.

NGOs Make a Joint Call for Sustained U.S. Commitment to the Central African Republic

On Nov. 30, 11 NGOs released a joint statement in conjunction with the Pope’s trip to the Central African Republic.

New Amnesty Report Provides Insights into the Diamond Trade in Central African Republic

A new report from Amnesty International, "Chains of Abuse," provides unique insights a key fuel for the violence in CAR, the blood diamond trade.

Crisis in the Central African Republic is Growing

The worst violence in almost a year has flared in the last several days in the capital of the Central African Republic, and clashes in Bangui have left at least 42 people dead.

African Arguments: The CAR’s Rushed Elections are a Dangerous Gamble

"The Central African Republic cannot afford to bet on its future for the sake of the international community’s need to show progress" write Kasper Agger and Christopher Day in this African Arguments piece on "the external push toward towards elections has left local leaders, armed groups, and ordinary Central Africans behind."

Insecurity Persists Across the Central African Republic

The crisis in the Central African Republic has been largely absent from international media recently, except for disturbing reports about sexual abuse against civilians by U.N. peacekeepers. But violence and insecurity have not stopped and large parts of the country remain in the hands of armed groups that terrorize local populations. 

Warlord Business: CAR’s Violent Armed Groups and their Criminal Operations for Profit and Power

Political Economy of African Wars Series “Warlord Business” is the second in a new series of in-depth, field research-driven reports on the dynamics of profit and power fueling war in the Horn, East and Central Africa. Violent kleptocracies dominate the political landscape of this region, leading to protracted conflicts marked by the commission of mass atrocities by state and non-state actors. Enough's Political Economy of African Wars series will focus on the key players in these conflicts, their motivations, how they benefit from the evolving war economies, and what policies might be most effective in changing the calculations of those orchestrating the violence–including both incentives and pressures for peace.

New Report - Warlord Business: CAR’s Violent Armed Groups and their Criminal Operations for Profit and Power

In a new Enough Project report released today, author Kasper Agger examines how the two main armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) and their multiple factions make millions of dollars in profits from illicit activities, such as the illicit sale of natural resources, taxation, extortion and the strategic use of killings and violence.

Interview with Kasper Agger: From the Bloody Trail of Kony’s LRA

Kasper Agger, the Enough Project’s Central Africa-based field researcher and LRA expert, recently completed an in-depth regional investigation, traveling across areas where the LRA has been active, and meeting with victims, regional officials, local leaders, aid workers, and ex-soldiers who have escaped or defected from the LRA. As part of Enough’s ongoing interview series, Agger spoke with Greg Hittelman about what he saw, experienced, and learned.

CAR: Violence and killings in capital Bangui threaten fragile peace

In the past two weeks there has been an alarming upsurge of violence in the Central African Republic's capital city, Bangui. Combatants, civilians, children, peacekeepers and humanitarian actors have all been severely affected these recent clashes. As political tensions between the transitional government and Anti-Balaka intensify, the roots of this return to instability appear to be multidimensional.

New Report: Seize the Peace - Four Issues to Target Now in the CAR Peace Process

According to a new Enough Project report, the prospects for peace in CAR are diminished without sustained international support and action in four key areas: planning for elections scheduled for next year; accountability for the perpetrators of atrocities; the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of armed combatants; and local reconciliation initiatives.

As US Embassy Reopens and New Peacekeeping Mission Launches in CAR, Breaking Report Calls for Urgent Start to 4 Key Initiatives for Peace

As the United States reopens its embassy today in the Central African Republic (CAR) after a nearly two-year diplomatic absence, and the UN launches a nearly 12,000-strong peacekeeping operation, a new report by the Enough Project “Seize the Peace” urges rapid action by the international community on four key areas to support peace in the war-torn country.  Report authors Kasper Agger, Jacinth Planer, and Holly Dranginis, are available for media interviews, comment and expert analysis.

Brazzaville Summit No Guarantee for Peace in CAR

A recently-concluded three-day regional summit in the Congolese capital of Brazzaville narrowly delivered a much anticipated ceasefire agreement between Séléka and Anti-Balaka forces, the two major armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR). Such an agreement does not, however, guarantee an end to the country’s deep crisis. Disarmament of the armed groups, local dialogues, justice reform, and a clear roadmap for the remaining part of the transition are urgently needed to give the Brazzaville agreement any chance of success. 

Peace in CAR and beyond: a role for civil society

With a ceasefire recently signed in Brazzaville and a new U.N. mission preparing to deploy to the Central African Republic (CAR), civil society groups are seeking ways to promote local reconciliation processes and a role in encouraging peace more broadly across CAR. Understanding the different means by which civil society groups have been involved in promoting peace in other contexts can lend insight on civil society’s role in developing sustainable peace in CAR.