Central African Republic Civil War
2012 CE to 2057 CE
The Central African Republic conflict is an ongoing civil war in the Central African Republic (CAR) involving the government, rebels from the Séléka coalition, and anti-balaka militias.
In the preceding Central African Republic Bush War (2004–2007), the government of President François Bozizé fought with rebels until a peace agreement in 2007.
The current conflict arises when a new coalition of varied rebel groups, known as Séléka accuse the government of failing to abide by the peace agreements and capture many towns at the end of 2012.
The capital is seized by the rebels in March 2013, Bozizé flees the country, and the rebel leader Michel Djotodia declares himself president.
Renewed fighting begins between Séléka and militias called anti-balaka In September 2013, President Djotodia disbands the Séléka coalition, which had lost its unity after taking power, and in January 2014, Djotodia resigns.
He is replaced by Catherine Samba-Panza, but the conflict continued.
In July 2014, ex-Séléka factions and anti-balaka representatives sign a ceasefire agreement in Brazzaville.
By the end of 2014, the country is de facto partitioned with the anti-Balaka controlling the south and west, from which most Muslims had evacuated, and ex-Seleka groups controlling the north and east.
Much of the tension is over religious identity between Muslim Séléka fighters and Christian anti-balaka
Other contributing factors include ethnic differences among ex-Séléka factions and historical antagonism between agriculturalists, who largely comprise anti-balaka, and nomadic groups, who constitute most Séléka fighters.
More than eleven hundred thousand people have fled their homes in a country of about five million people, the highest ever recorded in the country.
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Middle Africa (2008–2019 CE): Conflict Resolution, Persistent Instability, and Democratic Challenges
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An agreement for the restoration of harmony between Chad and Sudan, signed on January 15, 2010, marks the end of a destructive five-year war. The conflict, largely driven by mutual accusations of supporting rebel groups, had deeply destabilized eastern Chad and western Sudan, fueling regional insecurity and humanitarian crises. Following the accord, cross-border tensions ease significantly, and diplomatic relations gradually improve.
Central African Republic: Ongoing Crisis and International Intervention
The Central African Republic (CAR) endures ongoing instability and violence throughout this period. After years of intermittent violence and governmental fragility, a significant escalation occurs in 2012, with the outbreak of the civil war involving predominantly Muslim Séléka rebels and largely Christian Anti-Balaka militias. The conflict triggers a severe humanitarian crisis, prompting international peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the United Nations (MINUSCA) and France’s Operation Sangaris.
Despite the 2016 election of Faustin-Archange Touadéra, persistent clashes and widespread displacement continue to destabilize the nation, reflecting deep-rooted communal divisions and governance failures.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Persistent Conflict and Political Uncertainty
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) faces continuous political and security turmoil. President Joseph Kabila, in power since 2001, delays elections originally scheduled for 2016, sparking significant political unrest, protests, and violence. Pressure from domestic and international actors ultimately leads to a tense election in December 2018, resulting in the contested victory of opposition leader Félix Tshisekedi, inaugurating the country's first peaceful transition of power.
Nevertheless, ongoing violence persists in the country's eastern provinces, notably involving armed militias, ethnic conflicts, and a prolonged Ebola outbreak starting in 2018, creating significant humanitarian and security challenges.
Cameroon: Anglophone Crisis and Humanitarian Concerns
In Cameroon, long-standing grievances in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions erupt into a full-scale insurgency beginning in 2016, known as the Anglophone Crisis. Separatist militias advocating for the independence of "Ambazonia" clash with government forces, resulting in widespread displacement, human rights abuses, and a severe humanitarian emergency.
President Paul Biya, in office since 1982, continues to rule amid accusations of authoritarianism, electoral manipulation, and human rights violations, further complicating Cameroon’s internal stability and relations with international partners.
Angola: Political Transition and Economic Challenges
In Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos ends nearly four decades in power in 2017, succeeded by João Lourenço, who initiates a significant anti-corruption campaign targeting figures linked to the former regime, including dos Santos’s family. Lourenço seeks to diversify Angola’s economy, traditionally dependent on oil revenues, while navigating significant economic downturns exacerbated by falling oil prices and endemic corruption.
Equatorial Guinea and Gabon: Persistent Autocracy and Limited Reform
Equatorial Guinea, under long-time ruler Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Gabon, led by the Bongo family since 1967 (with Ali Bongo Ondimba succeeding his father Omar in 2009), both continue to face criticism for authoritarian governance, limited political freedom, and widespread corruption. Gabon experiences a brief attempted coup in 2019, underscoring mounting domestic frustrations and political tensions despite its comparative stability.
São Tomé and Príncipe and Republic of the Congo: Political Stability amid Economic Fragility
São Tomé and Príncipe, despite political stability and democratic elections, continues to struggle economically, heavily reliant on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in international markets. The Republic of the Congo faces persistent economic and governance challenges, with President Denis Sassou Nguesso maintaining tight political control amid accusations of electoral irregularities and limited democratic freedoms.
Regional Integration Efforts and Future Prospects
Throughout this era, Middle Africa confronts significant internal and cross-border challenges. While some nations, like Chad and Angola, demonstrate cautious progress toward stability and reform, others, such as CAR, Cameroon, and the DRC, remain embroiled in deep-seated conflicts. Persistent governance issues, combined with humanitarian crises and uneven economic development, highlight the complexities facing this diverse region, underscoring the ongoing need for strengthened regional cooperation, effective governance, and sustainable development policies.