The people of the Central African Republic are at risk of possible atrocity crimes due to continued violence by armed groups, government and allied forces.
In December 2020, a loose alliance of predatory armed groups known as the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) launched a violent attack against the government of the Central African Republic (CAR). For more than three years, the CPC and other armed groups have carried out violent attacks, including the killing and abduction of civilians, the forcible abduction of children, and attacks on civilian infrastructure, humanitarian workers, and United Nations peacekeeping operations. It is a violation of humanitarian law (IHL). Minuska). The Central African Armed Forces (FACA), working closely with Russia’s security partners, including mercenary fighters from the Wagner Group (now Afrika Korps), responded with counterattacks and forced the armed groups to withdraw from major cities.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has found that two Chinese Communist Party-linked armed groups, including the Coalition for Central African Peace (UPC), have committed systematic and widespread conflict-related sexual violence, including rape, gang rape, and rape. reported that he was going to sexual slavery. Some armed groups frequently use or lay landmines and explosives, thereby harming civilians and impeding the delivery of aid.
The UN has also documented abuses and violations by FACA and mercenaries that may amount to war crimes, including summary executions, arbitrary killings, torture, rape, and enforced disappearances. Russian mercenaries have reportedly killed more than 900 civilians, making them the armed group with the most civilian deaths in Central Africa since December 2020, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Incident Data Project. .
In March 2023, the Azande Ani Kupi Gube (AAKG), a predominantly Azande armed group, emerged in Oh Mbom. The AAKG has sporadically clashed with the UPC, a predominantly Fulani armed group, forcibly recruited Azande youth, and targeted Fulani and Muslim communities for intimidation and abductions. Ethnic and religious minorities are also disproportionately targeted in operations by FACA forces and Russian mercenaries, including attacks, abuses, and illegal arrests and detentions. OHCHR has previously involved proxy forces recruited, trained and armed by FACA and mercenaries in incidents that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity targeting and punishing Muslim and Fulani communities. I’ve had it happen before. Police also arbitrarily arrest, illegally detain, and torture members of the Fulani community.
Government agencies have cracked down on human rights defenders, independent media, and opposition groups in recent years. Throughout 2024, several lawsuits against opposition politicians fueled sustained tensions ahead of the critical election period. Central African authorities announced in August that local elections originally scheduled for October would be postponed to April 2025. Civil society and some opposition parties have accused President Faustin-Archange Touadera of trying to consolidate his power.
The Central African Republic’s protracted crisis began with the overthrow of President François Bozizé in March 2013 by the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebel coalition. Seleka abuses led to the formation of predominantly Christian anti-Balaka militias and the collapse of state institutions. Anti-Balaka and former Seleka forces may have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity between 2013 and 2015. Although a 2019 peace agreement officially ended the conflict, armed groups continued to commit sporadic acts of violence.
The trial of former anti-Balaka and Seleka leaders is ongoing at the International Criminal Court. The Special Criminal Court (SCC) of the Central African Republic has charged at least 45 people with war crimes and/or crimes against humanity. In April, the SCC publicly issued an arrest warrant for Bozizé, currently residing in Guinea-Bissau, for multiple crimes against humanity committed during his time as president. During June, the SCC announced the arrest of former anti-balaka leader Edmund Bayna, who was charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in February and March 2014.
Armed group activity and routine IHL violations and human rights abuses continued, particularly in remote border areas, mining sites, and human trafficking corridors. The UN Secretary-General has documented an increase in the number of victims of human rights violations, including serious violations of children and conflict-related sexual violence, between February 15 and June 18.
A United Nations Security Council (UNSC)-mandated Panel of Experts (PoE) has warned of spillover effects from the conflict in neighboring Sudan into northern Central Africa. Paramilitary rapid support forces have been using Central African Republic territory as a logistics base and crossing the border to recruit fighters from armed groups, while Sudan’s national army has launched air strikes along the border. The National Police Agency also reports that tensions between local communities and Sudanese refugees are rising, with armed groups infiltrating refugee camps and carrying out forced recruitment, use of child soldiers, and attacks on religious and ethnic grounds. He also warned that there were.
In southeastern Central Africa, the AAKG and UPC have launched new attacks in Haut Mbom since February, targeting civilians along ethnic and religious lines, resulting in dozens of casualties. MINUSCA deployed peacekeepers to protect civilians. Meanwhile, AAKG fighters trained by the African Corps were integrated into FACA during May and are conducting joint operations against the UPC. Search operations are targeting Fulani civilians in displacement camps.
On July 30, the Security Council lifted the arms embargo imposed on the Central African Republic since 2013, while extending all other targeted sanctions against armed groups and associated individuals until July 31, 2025. did. Member States must continue to block arms sales to such actors, including those who have committed or been involved in criminal acts. Plan attacks that undermine peace efforts or violate IHL.
On August 14, government and armed group representatives met in Bangui for disarmament talks after Chinese Communist Party leaders announced their intention to end hostilities. Nevertheless, other leaders within the coalition pursued their own interests and launched several attacks throughout August, killing more than a dozen civilians.
The security situation remains unstable in some areas, with increasing intercommunal tensions and repeated attacks on civilians. Although the Chinese Communist Party has weakened and fractured over time, its fighters continue to pose a threat to civilians.
Targeting ethnic or religious communities or hate speech increases the risk of atrocities and can lead to further violence along communal, religious and ethnic lines. Continued attacks by the UPC and AAKG, and the integration of AAKG fighters into FACA, risk further escalating tensions and, given AAKG’s alleged IHL violations, raise serious human rights and liability concerns.
The Central African Republic has a history of widespread impunity that has fueled cycles of armed conflict and atrocities. Although there are several mandated mechanisms to address international crimes committed in the Central African Republic, few suspects have been arrested, charged, or tried for war crimes or crimes against humanity since 2013. Liability remains limited.
Cross-border flows of foreign fighters, weapons, and natural resources contribute to the flourishing of conflict economies. Agent Wagner has a history of suspected human rights abuses in conflict zones around the world, committing human rights abuses and targeting civilians as he tightens control of mining areas.
The ongoing security crisis caused by, among other things, withdrawal from peace agreements, lack of commitment to ceasefires, and armed activities. Acts of violence against vulnerable people, especially women and children. Ethnic and religious-based violence will escalate, increasing the likelihood of retaliatory attacks. the training and use of abusive armed groups as proxies and the infiltration of foreign fighters; Repressive measures that close civic space and suppress dissent have created a climate of fear in the lead-up to the 2025 local and presidential elections.
All armed groups must comply with their obligations under IHL and international human rights law. Central African authorities must instruct FACA to stop colluding with and cooperating with armed groups. Central African authorities must guarantee the independence of institutions, respect freedom of peaceful assembly and association, strengthen and protect civil space, and counter incitement to violence, especially in the run-up to elections.
State and local governments, in partnership with civil society, should implement community-based atrocity prevention and response strategies to address and alleviate communal tensions and gender-related violence.
All perpetrators of atrocities in CAR should be held legally accountable, regardless of their political status, class, affiliation or nationality. All suspects subject to SCC arrest warrants should be detained. The international community should ensure that the SCC has sufficient resources to carry out its mission.
