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What Drives the Violence in the Central African Republic

Jul 26, 2016 | 09:00 GMT

What Drives the Violence in the Central African Republic
French soldiers patrol Bangui as part of peacekeeping efforts in the Central African Republic in 2015. The last of the peacekeeping force is set to depart the country in October despite a recent surge in violence there.

(PACOME PABANDJI/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

Even with a freely elected government in place, the Central African Republic has its share of troubles. The French forces that have helped stabilize the war-torn region are steadily departing despite a growing number of attacks. French President Francois Hollande confirmed July 13 that the surge of French troops sent to intervene in 2013 will complete its withdrawal by October 2016. The assertion comes amid reports of renewed violence in the former French colony. Murders, kidnappings and looting in Bangui, the country's capital, have become more frequent. Reports indicate that since early June, more than 6,000 people have fled for Cameroon to the east and Chad to the north. The new wave of refugees has strained already stretched humanitarian budgets, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which said it has received only 11 percent of the funds it needs to manage the situation.

In previous years, the atmosphere in the country was tense and at times violent under the transitional government of former acting President Catherine Samba-Panza. But the uptick in attacks since democratically elected President Faustin Archange Touadera took office in March has been notable, prompting the question: What is driving it? 

Even with a freely elected government in place, the Central African Republic has its share of troubles. Years of warfare have left an array of militant groups in the country, with little more than a weak police force to keep them in check. Since the March election of President Faustin Archange Touadera, murders, kidnappings and looting in the country's capital have become more frequent, and reports indicate that since early June 2016, more than 6,000 people have fled the Central African Republic for Cameroon to the east and Chad to the north. Meanwhile, the French forces that have helped stabilize the war-torn region are still steadily withdrawing. ...

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