Central African Republic Research Articles

Rola Wspólnoty Sant’Egidio w procesie pokojowym w Republice Środkowoafrykańskiej

The paper attempts to answer a question about the role, actions and tasks of faith-based organizations (FBO) in modern armed conflicts. To understand the main research problem, a case study of the Community of Sant’Egidio’s (CSE) intervention in the Central African Republic (CAR ) conflict of 2013–2019 will be analysed. Its actions are going to be confronted with a mainstream peace process and the concept of tracks of diplomacy will be used as a framework of analysis. The structure of the article will include the introduction, a brief description of CSE as an FBO, the situational context of the conflict in the CAR , the analysis of the intervention of CSE in the CAR , and the conclusions. Conclusions from the research indicate that the multifaceted and effective actions of the FBOs in armed conflicts are taking place. Those conclusions are going to be an entry point for in-depth research on FBOs’ status in relations with other peace processes actors.

Epidemiology and Sensitivity Profile of Blood Culture Isolates at The Pediatric University Hospital of Bangui

Background: Bacteremia are serious and dreaded diseases, due to their high associated mortality, for which blood culture is the key examination for establishing the diagnosis. Little is known about the epidemiology of sepsis in the Central African Republic (CAR). Objective: To determine the epidemiology and antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacteria isolated from blood cultures in the CHUPB, in order to optimize the probabilistic antibiotic therapy used in first line. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the University Hospital of Bangui (CHUPB) over a period of 12 months (January 1 to December 31, 2021), covering all bacteria isolated from blood cultures taken from children hospitalized in intensive care and neonatal intensive care units. The data were analyzed with the STATA version 14 software. The Chisquare test and ANOVA test were used to compare proportions at the p<0.05 threshold. Results: Out of four hundred and fifty-five blood cultures performed during the 12 months, the positivity rate was 13.17% (n=56/425). The neonatal intensive care unit had a positivity rate of 75% (n=42) versus 25% (n=14) for the intensive care unit. The mean age of the blood culture positive children was 19 days (3 days to 15 years) and the sex ratio was 1.94. Among the 56 isolates, a high prevalence of gram-negative bacilli 98.21% (n=55) was noted. The most frequently isolated species were Klebsiella pneumoniae 75% (n=42) and Escherichia coli 19.64% (n=11). Staphylococcus aureus 1.78%(n=1) was the only Gram-positive cocci isolated. Enterobacteriaceae were multi-resistant to empirical antibiotics at CHUPB. Only Tigecycline and Amikacin were still more than 90% sensitive to Klebsiella pneumoniae. Escherichia coli had a sensitivity greater than 80% for Ertapenem, Imipenem and chloramphenicol. Conclusion: This study, which was the first at the CHUPB, underlined the importance of regular monitoring of blood culture isolates, while determining antibiotic sensitivities in order to better guide the probabilistic antibiotic therapy of bacteremia. Key words : Blood cultures - epidemiology - isolates - CHUPB.

English

In more than six years, Russia expanded its presence in Africa sevenfold, starting with four (4) countries in 2015 and reaching 25 by 2021, including the Central African Republic (CAR). In the CAR, Russia became a major actor alongside the fourteen (14) armed groups, the United Nations Blue Helmets, and the Central African Army forces. While Moscow is involved in security issues and military diplomacy with lucrative reward, China is engaged in several development activities. This study examines Russia’s and China’s motivations, interests, and strategies in the CAR. The authors use the New Scramble for Africa literature as their theoretical lens. The overall objective of this paper is to foster a greater understanding of Russia’s and China’s role in the CAR where armed groups control 60% of the resource-rich areas. The armed groups’ predatory activities and Moscow’s realist policy in the CAR derailed the peace process via direct confrontations between the great power and armed groups. These confrontations escalated the geopolitical rift between France and Russia over CAR. Our findings indicate that Russia and China will increasingly become engaged in strategic competition for the resources of CAR, with detrimental consequences for peace and prosperity in the CAR.   Key words: Russia, China, armed groups, minerals, Central African Republic, United Nations, New Scramble for Africa.

The Reform of Certain Aspects of the UN Peacekeeping Activities as a Factor of Increasing the Effectiveness of Local Peace-Building and Regional Development (Case of the UN Operation in the Central African Republic)

In this article the author analyses in detail the UN peacemaking activities illustrated by the example of the MINUSCA peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR). Today the mission has achieved the following results: presidential and legislative elections have been held, cooperation with neighboring states has been established, UN cooperation with local security agencies is advancing, conditions for the protection of natural resources have been assured, conflict mitigation activities for the local population are being organized. However, there is no progress in a number of areas, which is consequently connected with such intrastructural problems of the UN as duplication of functions and responsibilities in various UN departments, lack of representation of African countries in UN administrative structures, the issue of compliance with the UN mandate while implementing this mandate in a civil war. Not only will the solution of these problems increase the effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping mission in the CAR, it will also increase the level of security in Africa as a whole.

Peace agreements with no peace: A critical review of peace agreements in the Central African Republic

ABSTRACT Societies faced with authoritarian rule or conflict usually adopt different paths to peace. The course adopted by each community to guarantee stability determines the extent to which the sustainability of the peace can be assured. Every attempt to pacify a society should aim to prevent a relapse to conflict or authoritarian rule while considering the damage caused and sorting out measures to repair the harm. The history of military coups and conflicts in the Central African Republic (CAR) is well documented. Still, the attempted remedies have greatly side-lined the raison d’être of the responses in guaranteeing peace and preventing relapse to conflict. As the CAR remains politically and socially unstable, an analysis of the failure of peace agreements to ensure stability constitutes a field of inquiry that urgently necessitates a more profound investigation to save the country from recurrent hostilities and guarantee a peaceful society for the citizens. Peace includes an aspiration manifested by both the CAR authorities and non-state armed groups in the course of hostilities and on the negotiation table. Central Africans indicate an interest in peace, but such interest often manifested and materialised in peace agreements has barely been implemented.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Bitcoin Adopted

Africa Research Bulletin: Economic, Financial and Technical SeriesVolume 59, Issue 4 p. 23840B-23842A Policy and Practice CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Bitcoin Adopted First published: 02 June 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6346.2022.10573.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume59, Issue4June 2022Pages 23840B-23842A RelatedInformation

Response to COVID-19 in the Central African Republic: Coping Strategies Combined With China's Experience.

Objectives: The weak health system, domestic political unrest, poverty, and many other factors in the Central African Republic (CAR) have left the country underprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a greater health threat to the entire country. Rapid measures must therefore be taken to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Methods: This work encompassed a review of relevant literature. We aim to analyze how far Chinese COVID measures can be transferred to the context of the CAR. Results: We argue that the measure that the CAR can learn from China’s success is the involvement of community workers and that greater investment in this model may be the optimal solution. Help from the international community is urgently needed. Conclusion: The CAR can benefit from China’s successful experience in fighting the epidemic, but the disparity in the combined power of the two countries does not allow for simple replication of China’s strategy.

Religion as a Security Threat

Abstract Religious extremism presents an ideological perspective found in most major religions and is currently associated with various forms of religiously motivated acts of violence. A conceptual framework is adopted to study the warning features of religious extremism and apply it to case studies of Nigeria, Uganda, and the Central African Republic (CAR). The application of a religious jihadism model to Christianity provides a comparative basis for assessing Islamic radical jihadism, helping to understand religion as a security threat, with particular reference to Christian contexts and examples. Using extremist rhetoric and the mobilization of Christian rituals, members of religious groups attempt to renegotiate their position in the public space within a society from which they are excluded due to political, social, and economic dynamics based on their exclusion. This study finds no significant difference between Islamic jihad and Christian jihad, as each seeks to politically exploit religion for political ends.

Asymptomatic Malaria Infections in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience from the Central African Republic.

According to the latest World Health Organization malaria report, 95% of 241 million global malaria cases and 96% of 627,000 malaria deaths that were recorded in 2020 occurred in Africa. Compared to 2019, 14 million more cases and 69,000 more malaria deaths were recorded, mainly because of disruptions to medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria cases in children and adults living in the Dzanga Sangha region in the Central African Republic (CAR) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rapid immunochromatographic assays for the qualitative detection of Plasmodium species (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale/P. malariae) circulating in whole blood samples were used. A screening was performed in the group of 515 patients, 162 seemingly healthy children (aged 1–15) and 353 adults, all inhabiting the villages in the Dzanga Sangha region (southwest CAR) between August and September 2021. As much as 51.2% of asymptomatic children and 12.2% of adults had a positive result in malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs). Our findings demonstrated a very high prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infections in the child population. Limited access to diagnostics, treatment and prevention of malaria during the global COVID-19 pandemic and less medical assistance from developed countries may be one of the factors contributing to the increase in the prevalence of disease in Africa.

Contesting liberal peace: Russia's emerging model of conflict management

Abstract Russia has begun to promote itself internationally as a mediator of conflict and as a ‘peacemaker’. Russian officials cite its extensive experience in managing numerous post-Soviet conflicts and its more recent experience of intervention in civil wars in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic (CAR) and Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia considers all these activities forms of ‘peacemaking’, but its approach differs radically from the model of liberal peacebuilding that has dominated international practice in the post-Cold War era. It prioritizes authoritarian stability over justice, human rights and democracy and advocates short-term goals of conflict management over long-term goals of conflict resolution. In this article I explain why Russia's norms of peacemaking and conflict management diverged so markedly from liberal peacebuilding norms. I argue that Russia is no longer simply contesting western norms, but developing its own distinct model of conflict management. This model accepts the use of force as an integral element in peacemaking, engages in ‘coercive’ mediation by authoritative actors, and views the West as a geopolitical and normative opponent. This debate over Russia's approach to peace and conflict also offers wider insights into how Russia challenges the norms and practices that underpin the liberal international order.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Prime Minister Dismissed

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Prime Minister Dismissed

Reflecting on the Impacts of the 2013 coup in Central Africa Republic on Economic Security

This article aims to provide a concise overview of the impacts of the 2013 coup in Central Africa Republic (CAR) on human security with particular emphasis on economic security. CAR is a serial coup country and has been rocked by five successful military coups since its independence from France in 1960. The 2013 coup in CAR was the worst one as it ignited human catastrophe and a nosedive economy. The study is incentivised by the fact that although CAR has been a hippodrome of putsch there is scant in literature auditing how the coups affected human security. In order to have a better understanding of the phenomenon under investigation this study interrogates the concepts of coup and human security. The concept of human security has seven dimension and economic security is the major dimension of human security, hence this paper distinctly shows how the 2013 coup in CAR affected economic security and not the other six dimensions of human security which are food, political, personal, environmental, health and community security. The study observed that the 2013 coup resulted in the withdrawal of donors and investors and this resulted into low foreign direct investment. The coup also exposed the countries to external economic shocks which adversely affected the economy. The intrusion of rebel groups in the countries had negative economic ramification such as destruction of infrastructure and wanton looting and pillaging. The study used qualitative research instruments and documentary search was the primary method of collecting data.

Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of A-type granites in the Babouri-Figuil Magmatic Complex (North Cameroon): Constraints from whole rock geochemistry, zircon U[sbnd]Pb geochronology and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes

The tectonics of the Central Africa Orogenic Belt (CAOB, in Cameroon, Chad, and the Central Africa Republic) is poorly constrained. For this reason, a study was carried out at the Cameroon-Chad border from biotite granite and hornblende-biotite massifs that intruded a gneiss-amphibolites basement of the NW Cameroon domain. Together, we report data on the whole-rock major and trace element compositions, mineral chemistry, and zircon U/Pb ages, supported by Nd-Sr-Hf isotopes. Both rocks are calc-alkaline, except for one sample with a Rittmann Serial Index (σ) > 3.5 (alkaline), high-K, and marginally peraluminous. The biotite granite is alkalic-calcic, whereas hornblende-biotite granite is alkalic. These rocks are characterized by high contents in SiO2 (> 69.85 wt%), Fe-number [FeOt/(FeOt+MgO)] (ferroan), TiO2/MgO, and low CaO, MgO, and P2O5 contents. Their petrological and geochemical features, such as early formed sodic and iron-rich amphibole, late crystallized biotite, and high Ga/Al ratios, are consistent with A-type granite formed from F and Cl enriched melts. Biotites compositions are close to those of annite, and amphiboles to ferro-amphibole, ferro-edenite, and ferro-gedrite types. The correlation for some major elements against SiO2 is consistent with fractionation of K-feldspar, plagioclase, apatite, amphibole, biotite, FeTi oxides, and MnO-rich phases under 882 to 967 °C, < 5 kb, and low ƒO2 (∆QFM = −0.55) at shallow crustal levels between <1 and 7 Km. Zircon U/Pb geochronology indicates two magmatic episodes for the biotite granite (RBO-27 and SMO-8) 602 ± 1.6 Ma, 602 ± 1.8 Ma, and (DBE-9) 707 ± 2.5, whereas hornblende-biotite granite (HRI-23) yielded 604 ± 1.0 Ma, respectively. The younger group yielded moderately to notably depleted initial Hf and Nd values [εHf(t) = − 3.4 to +1.8, av. = − 1.80; εNd(t) = − 2.46 to - 0.95, at 1.34 to 1.51 Ga], and low to moderate calculated initial Sr values (87Sr/86Sr(i) = 0.66781–0.70287). The older A-type granite yielded highly depleted initial Hf values (εHf(t) = + 7.74 to +9.30). The strong positive Pb anomaly for these granites indicates involvement of either crustal component or melt from the subducted slab. Given that the obtained initial Hf and Nd values are enriched relative to the depleted mantle (εHf(t) ~ +14; εNd(t) ~ +6.5), it therefore, suggest that these granites could be derived from low-degree partial melting of a juvenile crust extracted from the mantle.

English

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are organisms that can establish symbioses with 80% of terrestrial plants. Soils were collected in three agroecological zones (AEZ) of the Central African Republic (CAR). The aim of this research is to study the diversity of AMF in the CAR. The spore extraction and enumeration, granulometric and physicochemical analyses of each soil were performed. The results showed that AEZ3 has a large number of spores; it is therefore the densest followed by AEZ2 and AEZ1. The particle size analysis showed that AEZ1 and 2 have a sandy-clay texture and AEZ3 is sandy-silty. The average water pH of the three surveyed areas is 5.13. The organic matter content is low. The total nitrogen content of the soils varies from one area to another. The C/N ratio of the studied soils varies from 9.65 to 15.5 with an average of 13.8. The total phosphorus content is lower than the norm. The best calcium content is obtained in AEZ3 followed by AEZ1. Magnesium, sodium, the sum of exchangeable cations and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were below the critical thresholds. &nbsp; Key words: Diversity, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), agroecological zones, Central African Republic.

Coverage and determinants of modern contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa: further analysis of demographic and health surveys

BackgroundThe use of modern contraceptives (MC) in most African countries has been low despite the high fertility rate and unmet need for family planning. This study sought to determine the coverage and determinants of modern contraceptive use among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).MethodsData for the study were obtained from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 1995–2020 across 37 SSA countries. Women of reproductive age (15–49 years) was the unit of analysis. Analysis of data was done using STATA version 16 for windows. A bivariate Rao Scott’s Chi-square test of independence was done to determine factors associated with the use of modern contraceptives. Factors that showed significance (p < 0.05) were included in a multilevel logistic regression to determine significant predictors of modern contraceptives. Clustering, stratification and sample weighting were accounted for in the analyses.ResultsThe overall prevalence of the use of MC was found to be 22.0%. This ranged from 3.5% in the Central Africa Republic to 49.7% in Namibia. The most common type of MC used were injections (39.4%), condoms (17.5%) and implants (26.5%). Women were less likely to use modern contraceptive if they: had no education (aOR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.38–0.44), had no children (aOR = 0.27–0.42), not told of family planning at a health facility (aOR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.67–0.71), not heard of family planning in the media (aOR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.74–0.79) and being poor (aOR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.73–0.79). On the other hand, women were more likely to use modern contraceptive if they were between the age of 35–39 years (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI 0.73–0.79), married (aOR = 2.66, 95% CI 2.50–2.83), had seven or more children (aOR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.17–0.38), had knowledge of any method of contraceptives (aOR = 303.8, 95% CI 89.9–1027.5) and when field worker visited and talked about family planning (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.39–0.68).ConclusionThe study showed a low prevalence of modern contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa. Findings from the study highlight the need to provide education to women to increase uptake of modern contraceptive and also re-enforce contraceptive interventions to improve women’s health and well-being.

Surgical Management of Gunshot Wound at Level-II Hospital in Central African Republic in 2019/2020

Background: Gunshot wounds (GSW) are common in Central African Republic (CAR). There are about eighteen rebel groups in Central Africa. Arms are available among the rebel groups and also the civilians. For the very simple region they open the fire against the opponent. The aim of this study is outcome of surgical management of gunshot wounds at Bangladeshi Level-II hospital in the CAR during our tenure.&#x0D; Methods: This was a prospective study of 14 patients with gunshot wounds who were treated at level-II hospital, Kagabandoro, CAR from Dec 2019 to Nov 2020 for a period of 12 months. Wound debridement and removal of bullets were done in 8 (57.14%) cases, keep bullets in situ position in 2(14.29%) cases and surgical toileting followed by primary closure of wound were done in 3 (21.42%) cases and one female patient transferred to level-III hospital in Bangui.&#x0D; Results: Out of 14 patients there were 13 male and 1 female patients. Mean age of the patients was 32.21 (18-55 years). High velocity injuries were common in 10 (71.43%). Injuries involved the limbs in 10 (71.43%), chest in 2 (14.29%), abdomen in 1 (7.14%) and external genitalia in 1(7.14%). Most of the patients 12 (85.71%) presented to the hospital within 12 hours of the injury. The average length of stay in the hospital was 14 days (Range 2- 60 days). Fractures of the long bone were in 5 (35.71%) cases. Open reduction and internal fixation was done in 3 (21.43%) cases. One female patient was transferred to level-III hospital in Bangui due to fracture neck of femur following gunshot injuries with 9 months of pregnancy. Mean follow-up was 5 months (Range 1-12 months). Post trauma pain developed in 3 (21.43%) cases, deformities of the extremities was found in 2 (14.29%) cases.&#x0D; Conclusion: Outcome of surgical management of the gunshot wounds were depends on the nature of tissue injury and availability of the resources with promptness of intervention.&#x0D; CBMJ 2021 January: vol. 10 no. 01 P: 04-08

Analytical performances of Exacto® HIV self-test in the Central African Republic.

We herein evaluated the analytical performances of the CE-IVD capillary blood Exacto® HIV self-test (Biosynex, Strasbourg, France) in the Central African Republic (CAR). A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative national panel of 200 sera positive for HIV and 200 negative for HIV, randomly selected thorough the CAR for HIV seroprevalence surveillance survey, according to reference test. The Exacto® HIV self-test showed 99.5% (95% CI: 98.2-99.9) sensitivity and 100.0% (95% CI: 99.0-100.0) specificity. The Youden´s J index and Cohen´s Kappa coefficient were 0.995. At HIV-1 seroprevalence of 3.5% in the general adult population of the CAR, the positive and negative predictive values were 100% (95% CI: 99.0-100) and 99.9% (95% CI: 98.9-100), respectively. The results are within the limits required by the WHO (i.e. sensitivity ≥ 99.0% and specificity ≥ 98.0%), making Exacto® HIV self-test suitable for routine use in the CAR.

Epidemiological Profile of Urinary Tract Infections Observed at the Institut Pasteur in Bangui, Central African Republic

The urinary tract is the second most common site of bacterial infection after the respiratory tract. Enterobacteria remain the first cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs), followed by staphylococci and non-fermenter bacteria. Furthermore, bacteria producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) have become more frequent, exposing African patients to therapeutic dead ends. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of UTIs diagnosed at the Institut Pasteur in Bangui (IPB), Central African Republic (CAR), a research center that carries out antibiotic sensitivity testing according to international standards. For that, the collected demographic, clinical and biological data come from patients calling at the IPB for a urinalysis and who gave their consent for their data to be included and analyzed in this six-month cross-sectional study (January-June 2019). A total of 412 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 35.2 years [1-80], females made up 55.8% of the study population and the sex ratio was 0.79:1 (M: F). Overall, 117 UTIs were detected, giving a prevalence rate of 28.4%. Of the bacterial isolates, 89.8% (105/117) were enterobacteria, of which 52.4% (55/105) were ESBL-producers. <i>Escherichia coli</i> accounted for more than half of the isolates 55.5% (65/117) and the ESBL-producers 58.2% (32/55). The 0–15-year age group showed the highest incidence of UTIs, but this rate was not significantly different from the other age groups (P = 0.665). Antecedent UTI was not a significant factor in the observed infections. However, female gender, fever, painful urination, acquisition in a healthcare setting and samples collected outside the laboratory were all significantly associated with UTI cases (P<0.005). The high proportion of ESBL-producing bacteria found during this study poses a real potential threat for public health in the CAR. Controlling antibiotic use should thus be a priority for the Ministry of Health.

Responsiveness of Child Health to Maternal Fertility in Central African Republic

This paper investigates the effect of fertility on child health status, using data from the sixth edition of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS6) of the Central African Republic (CAR) collected in 2018 by the government’s statistics office. Specifically, the paper seeks: to assess the direct and indirect effects of maternal fertility on child health. To achieve these objectives, we use a framework based on the quantity-quality theory of the new household economy and the control function modeling strategy—which simultaneously corrects for endogeneity, sample selectivity and unobserved heterogeneity biases. Results show that, having an additional child significantly increases the risk of sickness in children under 5 years in CAR. Results also show a positive and highly significant indirect effect of fertility on sickness as depicted by the interaction of fertility and its residual—a clear indication of undesirable complementarities between fertility and unobserved correlates of fertility in widening sickness probability among children. These findings suggest that public intervention improves spending on social services, such as education, preventive child health and family planning; programmes would reduce fertility and initiate the process of better child health and productivity in adulthood.

Proposal of algorithms to make up for lost school and university years in post-conflict African countries in the face of Covid-19: case of the Central African Republic

The 12 years of politico-military crises in the Central African Republic (CAR), has created an educational social imbalance in the rural areas of CAR compared to the capital city of Bangui. In some rural areas of CAR, children have not attended school during the 12-year war. The situation has worsened with the Covid-19 pandemic. We modelled two algorithms and materialised them by developing an API Framework Rasa chat bot that uses the main components Rasa NLU, Rasa Core and the programming language Python for the remediation of lost school and university years in African countries in conflict, particularly CAR. It also allows for the orientation in normal, professional and specific training in each province of the CAR, according to the level required of the learner. It takes into account the social distancing imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.