Crisis in the Central African Republic : Is It a Religious War in a Godforsaken Country or Something Else?

János Tomolya

doi:10.32565/aarms.2014.3.8

Abstract

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country located in the centre of Africa. Bordered by seven other countries in the heart of the African continent, it was ruled for most of the years after independence from France in 1960 by the self– styled “Emperor”, Jean–Bédel Bokassa. A series of coups followed, with power changing hands frequently. With more than 80 different ethnic groups, a mix of Christians, Muslims and followers of indigenous faiths, the country is notoriously difficult to rule, despite having a population of only 4.6 million. Despite significant deposits of gold, diamonds and uranium, and vast troves of timber, it is among the poorest nations on Earth, sitting just seven places from the bottom of the UN’s human development index. Chronic poor governance and lack of an efficient state has denied the wider population the benefits of the country’s potential riches. Chaos in the Central African Republic (CAR) is about power, not religion, this is neither jihad nor crusade. Fighting in CAR is over political power and money, with the capitol city Bangui as the prize.

Highlights

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country located in the centre of Afri- ca
As Bordas has described in her work, are awash in what many describe as a failed state where weak government authority, pervasive impunity, ethnic tensions, and rebel activity have driven instability and displacement for decades. [4: 312] [5: 10] One of the world’s “forgotten” crises has forced its way back into the headlines that reb- els have swept across Central African Republic (CAR), overthrowing the Government, forcing the president into exile and sending alarm throughout the international community
Despite vast resources, including gold, timber, diamonds and uranium, it is among the poor- est nations in the world

Summary

Armed forces of CAR

The Central African Armed Forces [French: Forces armées centrafricaines (FACA)] are the armed forces of the Central African Republic, established after independence in 1960. To- day they are a rather weak institution, dependent on international support to hold back the enemies in the current civil war. [34] Its disloyalty to the president came to the fore during To- day they are a rather weak institution, dependent on international support to hold back the enemies in the current civil war. [34] Its disloyalty to the president came to the fore during

Note from the author

International military presence in CAR

Findings

Conclusion