ConflictBarometer_2015

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
attacking Kayanza province on July 10 had crossed into Burundi
from neighboring DR Congo. In reaction, security forces
arrested, among others, about 30 supporters of Rwasa in the
northeastern province Muyinga. Rwasa refuted allegations
of involvement in armed attacks against the government.
In addition, reports suggested that FNL was recruiting new
fighters both in Burundi and among Burundian refugees in
Rwanda [→ Burundi Rwanda]. In October, FARDC handed
over 13 young men to the Burundian army who said they had
been abducted by Nzabampema's FNL in Burundi and forced
to become FNL fighters. hlm
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (ANTI-BALAKA
EX-SÉLÉKA)
Intensity: 5 | Change: | Start: 2012
Conflict parties:
Conflict items:
Anti-Balaka vs. ex-Séléka
national power, resources
The conflict over national power and resources, such as
gold and diamonds, between ex-Seleka and Fulani militias,
on the one hand, and Anti-Balaka groups, on the other, continued
at war level.
Ex-Séléka were composed of several predominantly Muslim
armed groups, mainly the Popular Front for the Rebirth of
Central Africa (FPRC), the Union for Peace in Central Africa
(UPC), and Patriotic Rally for the Rebirth of the Central African
Republic (RPRC). In September 2013, then-president and
ex-Séléka leader Michel Djotodia had officially disbanded
the alliance, but it continued to exist under the label ex-
Séléka. In reaction to increasing violence against the civilian
population after Djotodia's rise to power in March 2013,
local predominately Christian militias and parts of the former
security forces loyal to ex-president François Bozizé united
under the name Anti-Balaka, forcing the ex-Séléka government
to resign in January 2014.
Ex-Séléka and pastoralist militias continued to dominate the
northeast of the country and Anti-Balaka groups mostly operated
in the southwest. UPC controlled, among others, the
trade of diamonds and gold at the Ndassima mines, Bambari,
Ouaka prefecture. Anti-Balaka militias controlled, among
others, gold production in several mines in Nana-Grébizi
sub-prefecture and diamond production in Amada-Gaza and
Sosso-Nakombo sub-prefectures.
The first half of the year was marked by intensified political
negotiations in the run up to the general elections postponed
several times. While FPRC and Maxime Mokom's Anti-Balaka
faction signed ceasefire agreements in January and April,
the government of Interim President Samba-Panza rejected
these deals, claiming it had not been involved in the talks
facilitated by the Kenyan government in Nairobi. From May 4
to 11, the interim government held a national forum in the
capital Bangui, involving ex-Séléka and Anti-Balaka groups
as well as the private sector. The forum discussed upcoming
elections, disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration as
well as decentralization and judicial reform. Several armed
groups rejected the deal signed by ten other groups and the
government on May 10. The agreement obliged all militias to
disarm within 30 days. On August 10, former ruling party Kwa
Na Kwa (KNK) announced that Bozizé would return from exile
to participate in the presidential election. A few days after
KNK Secretary-General Bertin Bea had stated that transitional
authorities did everything to prohibit Bozizé's return, he was
arrested by the police on August 15. Meanwhile, Bozize's
former prime minister and KNK member Faustin Archange
Touadera had announced to run for president.
Violence between ex-Séléka and Anti-Balaka groups and
attacks on civilians continued throughout the year, peaking
in October.
Ex-Séléka militias killed at least ten civilians in a flare-up of
violence in Bria, capital of Haute-Kotto prefecture, on February
9. After MINUSCA soldiers had intervened in clashes
between ex-Séléka and Anti-Balaka fighters in Bolom, Ouham
prefecture, seven civilians, mostly Christians, were killed the
next day. On February 15, heavily armed Fulani herdsmen
attacked the villages of Ouandago, Botto, and Mbres as well
as central parts of the provincial capital Kaga-Bandoro, killing
two Christian civilians.
Sparked by the assassination of one Muslim motorbike taxi
driver on September 26, violent clashes in Bangui intensified
significantly. Thousands demonstrated against the
interim government and international peacekeeping forces,
destroying or looting numerous buildings, including those of
international NGOs. At least 90 people died, more than 400
were seriously injured, and another 40,000 fled the capital
until the end of the year. Subsequently, the electoral commission
postponed the constitutional referendum as well as the
presidential and parliamentary elections to December. While
fighters of the ex-Séléka wing FPRC tried to reach Bangui,
they clashed with MINUSCA and French Sangaris troops near
Sibut, Kémo prefecture, on October 10 and 11. On October
18, Anti-Balaka militants briefly abducted the vice president
of the National Transitional Council, Léa Koyassoum Doumta,
near Bangui.
On November 2, ex-Séléka fighters attacked civilians in the
capital, killing at least five and setting fire to numerous
houses. As a consequence, hundreds of people fled Bangui.
Two days later, hundreds protested in the city, demanding
the rearmament of the military. After Christian IDPs had killed
a Muslim with sticks and stones on November 10, ex-Séléka
fighters killed at least five people and burned down more
than 730 shelters at an IDP camp in Batangafo, Ouham. When
MINUSCA troops intervened, at least one peacekeeper was
killed. Approx. 24,000 people fled the camp. Two other
ex-Séléka attacks on IDP sites in Ouaka, one in Bambari on
November 12 and one in Ngakobo on December 4 left at
least eleven civilians and five rebels dead as well as 30
people wounded. The violence in Bambari had been sparked
by the murder of a UPC member.
On December 4, FPRC Vice President Noureddine Adam
announced he would not allow the government to hold elections
in Kaga Bandoro region. Ten days later, he proclaimed
the independent ''Republic of Logone'' in the country's north.
FPRC spokesman Maouloud Moussa stated ''the time has
come to divide the Central African Republic for the two
communities to find peace.'' He invited Muslims to live in the
''Republic of Logone'', adding that Christians could stay.
On December 8, the Constitutional Court announced the
list of approved presidential candidates, rejecting the candidacy
of Bozizé and Anti-Balaka leader Patrice Edouard
Ngaissona. The constitution was adopted with 90 percent of
the votes on December 13 and presidential elections were
held peacefully on December 30. On 01/07/16, the National
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