Rwanda Redux: The Latent Genocide in the Central African Republic and the Failure to Protect

Abstract

The paper makes a critical analysis of the conflict in the Central African Republic which began as a simple military coup but has gradually degenerated into a humanitarian disaster as clashes between rival militia groups have produced severe civilian casualties. The situation is made even more complex as the anti-balaka Christian militias have embarked on a systematic ethnic cleansing of Muslims and the AU led international peacekeepers supported by French forces are visibly overwhelmed by the unfolding crisis. It is argued here that religious polarization is perpetuating the conflict and the lethargic attitude of the international community to implement the Responsibility to Protect may, once again, result to genocide similar to Rwanda. The crisis is analyzed within the conceptual framework of Jonathan Fox’s theory of ethno-religious conflicts.