CAR Report November 2016

In March 2016 the Central African Republic (CAR) returned to democratic rule. The constitutional court formally confirmed Faustin Archange Touadéra had won the presidential election, bringing an end to the transitional period that had begun in April 2013 after the Seleka coup.

The three years of transition marked one of the most tumultuous periods in the nation’s history. Serious human rights abuses, which took on a religious dimension, were committed against the civilian population by the Seleka and anti-Balaka militias. Abduction, looting, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, sexual violence and the destruction of homes and religious buildings by both groups were commonplace. The conflict caused a major humanitarian crisis and saw the total collapse of state authority and structures. The transitional government, led by acting president Catherine Samba-Panza, was able to restore a basic level of civil administration. This facilitated the organisation of a National Dialogue in May 2015, a referendum on the national constitution in December 2015, and presidential and parliamentary elections, held between December 2015 and February 2016.

While President Touadéra has a strong mandate and general legitimacy among the people, his government faces significant challenges. The causes of the conflict remain unresolved and approximately two thirds of the country is still under the control of the anti-Balaka and the Seleka. Additionally, the country is still engulfed in a dire humanitarian crisis – the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that in July 2016 there were 467,796 refugees, 384,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 2.7 million people in immediate need of assistance.

The immediate priorities for the government are:

• Ensuring the country is under its control, and disarming armed groups that operate freely in the south-west and north of the country.
• Responding to the humanitarian crisis and facilitating the return of displaced and refugee populations, while ensuring returnees are able to rebuild their lives
• Establishing justice mechanisms to hold to account those who have committed and continue to commit human rights abuses.

To read the report in full, download here (pdf).