Peace pacts in the Central African Republic often fail over alleged non-implementation.

The Central African Republic, CAR, has a history of failed peace agreements. Several deals were reached in the last decade, promising equitable power-sharing and the demobilisation and reintegration of former fighters. But they were never fully implemented, resulting in resumption of fighting a few months after.

More War, No Peace

Former President François Bozizé seized power in March 2003 from President Ange-Félix Patassé. A rebel uprising against his government in the northeast of the country in October 2006 soon captured several towns. Although it was put down by mid-December with the assistance of troops from France and Central African nations, fighting resumed in 2007. Several rebel groups signed agreements with the government in February and April 2007, but fighting continued into 2009. In June 2008, the government signed a peace pact with two rebel groups, and in September 2008, passed an amnesty law intended to boost peace talks that involved former President Patassé. After UN peacekeepers ended their mission in the northeast in November 2010, the last main rebel group seized the town of Birao, but was soon routed by Chadian troops. The group later signed a peace deal with the government in 2012.

Séléka’s Turn

The 2008 accord between the government and rebel groups failed to bring about lasting peace and stability. Its alleged lack of implementation by the government of President Bozizé led to renewed conflict in December 2012. A rebel coalition in the north known as Séléka, seized large swathes of territory in quick succession, coming within striking distance of the capital, Bangui. They accused Bozizé of failing to honour the 2008 agreement under which fighters were to receive money in exchange for laying down arms. Only the quick deployment of foreign troops stopped the regime from total collapse then.

Libreville Peace Deal

After barely three days of indirect talks in the Gabonese capital, Libreville, President Bozizé, opposition leaders, the civil society and rebels, reached a peace agreement on January 11, 2013. In addition to a cease-fire, President Bozizé was to remain in power until the end of his term in 2016 and a Prime Minister from the opposition appointed. Parties also pledged to form a government of national unity and organise legislative elections within 12 months, after adopting a bill on a new electoral code and a national authority for elections. But by mid March 2013, fighting had resumed, with Séléka accusing government among others, of failing to integrate its fighters into the army. They also insisted on the withdrawal of South African and Ugandan troops. Not assuaged by last-minute government gestures, Séléka pursued its onslaught, finally taking over Bangui on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Weak, Bad Governance

Several reasons account for the successive rebellions in the Central African Republic and the failure of peace agreements to end them. At least 30 years of weak and corrupt rule failed to forge national consensus and develop the country. Thus, rebel groups are merely a symptom of bad governance, not the root cause of instability. Instability persists as a result of the presence of multiple insurgent groups, bands of highway robbers active throughout the north, an extremely weak and often ineffective military, and limited State presence outside of Bangui. While Bozizé’s regime showed improvements in financial management over the years, it remained deeply underfunded, relying heavily on donor support.

External Factor

Northwestern CAR has always been a lawless place, a situation made worse by years of civil war in Chad, continuous poaching from Sudan and the presence of Ugandan rebels. Consequently, there have been suggestions in certain quarters for international actors to help the country design a clear plan for peace that involves fair representation, a commitment to long-term solutions, and an independent monitoring mechanism.