13/09/2013
The recent incidents related to the clashes between armed partisans of former president Francois Bozize and the Seleka fighters have drawn particular attention in the international media.
In a previous ESISC briefing published on August 28, it was mentioned that the new country leader Michel Djotodia had to tackle numerous issues, following his oath on August 18. In the light of the recent incidents, international commentators have concluded that the situation of instability in the country has worsened since the transition president took his oath on August 18.
The incidents that have been reported since last week-end highlight a worsening security situation:
- On September 8, clashes erupted in the northern town of Bossangoa between members of Seleka coalition and fighters, loyal to the toppled president Francois Bozize. Up to 60 people were killed in these clashes. Hundreds of pro-Bozize fighters took the control of some localities around Bossangoa, Ouham prefecture. Reinforcements of Seleka were sent from Bangui. The fighting forced hundreds of local citizens to flee from the area.
- On September 11, the death toll of the clashes between the Francois Bozize’s partisans and the Seleka fighters was scaled up from 60 to 100 people killed. 50 people were also reported injured.
- On September 11, it was reported that the Chief of Staff of the Central African army was sacked by President Michel Djotodia, following the offensive of the fighters loyal to the ousted president Francois Bozize.
The UN warned about the risk for the Central African Republic to become a failed state. During the next 18-months of constitutional transition, Michel Djotodia is expected to focus on two main goals:
- To implement a sustainable peace and security situation.
- To reform the administration seriously undermined since the coup in March. The national administration is almost inexistent in most of the region.
Meanwhile Bozize’s partisans and Seleka fighters are taking advantage of the lack of security forces to commit abuses. The security forces have abandoned their posts, forcing population to flee in the bushes seeking for more security.
In addition to its insecurity issue, the country is also facing a humanitarian crisis. According to NGOs, a third of the population requires food, shelter, healthcare and water. The country is ranked as the 180th out of 186 nations in the UN Human Development Index. Average life expectancy of the population is the second shortest worldwide, reaching only 49 years. Health problems are also challenging the governance of the country. Many people are suffering from malnutrition and malaria, the main cause of death through the country. HIV rates are high. The remaining health services are witnessing a shortage of vaccines and medicines. The public health service and the aid organizations have been lacking of personnel. Most of it fled in the aftermath of the coup in March.
A risk for the country could be to sink into a tribal or a sectarian war. By carrying attacks against the positions of the Seleka, the armed partisans of the former president assaulted Muslim civilians. As a result, it led to retaliation attacks committed by the Seleka fighters against Christians.
The international community is expecting a lot from the new peacekeeping force, the The International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA), planned to substitute the current Multinational Force for Central Africa (FOMAC) in December.
Conflicts Reports 