Violent Rebel Coalition Threatens Elections in the Central African Republic

On December 27th, 2020, the Central African Republic is set to have its presidential and parliamentary elections. But it looks like the CAR government’s attempt at a free and fair democratic process might be in jeopardy.

According to a national government spokesman, former President François Bozizé Yangouvonda is responsible for forming a new rebel coalition that has already killed innocent civilians and destroyed their properties. Now the coalition is planning to cause problems for the upcoming elections in the country.

There have been reports of rebel groups marching down the streets of the capital city of Bangui and intimidating people. The CAR government has since sought assistance from the UN peacekeeping mission called MINUSCA (aka. United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic) to protect its civilians and elections.

In response, the Rwandan government sent troops to the capital to maintain law and order there. Russian troops were also sent to CAR, working as contract fighters on behalf of the national government. It looks like the elections could result in a violent battle if the rebel coalition gets aggressive and attempts to stop voters.

Back Story

President Bozizé was in office from 2003 to 2013. Ironically, opposing rebel forces had forced him out of office because he violated a peace agreement formed after the 2007 Central African Republic Bush War. The president fled to Cameroon once his presidential palace was attacked and taken over in Bangui.

When President Bozizé eventually returned to CAR in 2019, he attempted to run for president again. But the CAR constitutional court declared him to be ineligible to serve as president again due to “moral grounds” and the fact that a 2013 international arrest warrant was actively still against him. The warrant accused President Bozizé of terrible crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and arbitrary arrests.

The rebel coalition is Bozizé’s latest attempt to retain his former presidential office. However, thanks to the MINUSCA, the rebellion’s efforts are bound to fail.