“A Land of Many Rebels…”

In a recent development UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) managed to secure a pass for the humanitarian convoy from Cameroon to the Central African Republic’s capital Bangui. The convoy is the very first assistance to arrive in the country since January 2021.  

The central African country held its General Election in December 2020. Rebels rejected the results of the election wherein incumbent president Faustin Archnage Touadera was declared the winner. The post electoral political crisis has inspired months of embargo on humanitarian assistance.  

The political and popular imagination of the country already grappling with a refugee crisis driven by internal rebellions, is left muddled. A former editor and political analyst at Le Quotidien de Bangui, Mr. Ingasso Oumarou, when interviewed by The Voices explains about the shades of a civil strife manifesting into a seemingly interminable crisis. 

Ques: Tell us about the immediate forces behind the crisis.  

Oumarou: It is primarily the The Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) armed group, which is trying to disrupt the post electoral developments and peace processes in the country. They are backed by the opposition coalition called Coalition of the Democratic Opposition (COD 2020) and the former President of the country Bozizé, who is accused of crimes against humanity.  

These groupings attack the government forces, but it is mainly the civil population who bear the brunt of their plunder. They rob people and loot the assistance convoys. There are a lot of mercenaries among them, mostly from neighboring countries.  

Though the national armed forces have reclaimed the rebel strongholds with the support of allies such as Russian, Rwanda and MINUSCA (the UN Mission in the CAR). Thanks to the constant patrols that many CPC fighters have been captured and brought in for investigation. But the rebels are still dispersed throughout the country. 

Ques:  Explain to us the status of rebels in the country.  

Oumarou: Central African Republic is the land of many rebels. Almost 70% of the land of the mineral rich country still lies with 14 major and few minor rebel groups. Two prominent rebel forces are Seleka and Anti Balaka. Seleka are Muslim rebels from north east and west of the country. Anti Balaka, is a Christian Rebel group which emerged as a counter to the Seleka force. Unfortunately, due to vast unregulated forest areas CAR is a safe heaven for Rebel groups of other neighboring countries too. A destabilized CAR is in their interest as it would ensure their sustenance.  

Ques: What led to the emergence of rebel groups and how far political efforts have been successful in managing them? 

Oumarou: It was the dissatisfaction from the governance of Ex President Bozize regime which led to their emergence. He was ousted by rebels in a 2012 outrage against him. Bozize too seized the power from ex-president Ange-Félix Patassé in a military coup.  

A significant effort in managing the rebellion was the 2019 Khartoum peace deal. It was signed between the government and 14 armed groups, wherein they agreed to be a part of the government. The government started to implement reconciliation measures, like hiring ex-fighters and helping them to integrate with the society, but they didn’t have enough time. The system wasn’t yet stable enough. To make an already sensitive situation worse, the leaders of the armed groups were accused of accepting bribes from foreign forces to destabilize the govt. 

Image credit: Dailynewsegypt.com

Eventually, the deal collapsed as such deals never satisfy everyone. So now rebels aren’t even part of government and violence has found it’s way back. 

Ques: How do you analyze Bozize joining rebel faction in post Dec 2020 developments?                                 

Oumarou: Rebel factions want to incorporate him as a part of chess game against the Govt. But the fact is he is isolated more than ever as he can’t really champion the cause of a just govt. He has just returned in 2019 after an exile in Cameroon. Constitution court didn’t even allowed him to contest elections. It ruled that Bozize did not satisfy the “good morality” requirement for candidates because of an international warrant and United Nations sanctions against him for alleged assassinations, torture and other crimes. 

Ques: How the present political crisis augments the already existing Refugee Crisis?  

Oumarou: The post 2013 coup developments initiated the transformation of masses into refugees. The present crisis is a setback in the efforts to stabilize situation in the CAR. Even at the beginning of December 2020 a group of refugees came back home from the DRC. But now people are forced to leave again. UN already has more than 13000 people on the ground and according to reports more than 60% of population of CAR is dependent on assistance.  

Ques: What steps have been taken by Government to return to normal? 

Oumarou: The government is relentlessly working to improve the security situation. Recently the CPC fighters demanded ceasefire, but the people in the country are against, because no one believes the CPC, that they are genuinely interested in a dialogue. The government takes a balanced approach, they are considering all the options and are rightly refraining  really taking hasty decisions.  

The main priority remains to eliminate the rebels of CPC, to bring actors and organizations to justice. Once the country is safe, the government will actively pursue comprehensive development agenda. 

Ques: Who all are coordinating with Government in ensuring Humanitarian assistance? 

Oumarou: A major share of work in helping the refugees falls on the shoulders of the different NGO’s. UN Refugee Agency does a good job here delivering potable water and food to the displaced. But then several NGO’s have been accused of being more interested in media canvassing rather than real time on field work. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is accused of being one such organisation.

Ques: Brief us about the response of the international community including neighbors of CAR.  

Oumarou: Some neighbors were very quick to come to help, like the Rwandians. The people are very impressed by their professionalism. Russia’s assistance has been crucial in reorganization and reconciliation efforts.  

Sudan has also displayed willingness to cooperate in the security sphere. Support from neighboring countries is strategically important as some of the main routes of the illegal arms supply come through Chad and Sudan.  

But inconsistencies too exist. Chad, has been accused of a dubious position. Many of the captured CPC fighters turned out to be mercenaries of Chadian origin, but the government of Chad declined all responsibility, even though they could have worked better on the border security at least, like Sudan.  

In context of international response, people here in CAR are concerned about delay in community endorsing lifting of UN’s arms embargo. It deprives the government of strategic resources to tackle the rebels.  

But the international response is vital as it would complement home efforts to restore normalcy in CAR.