The challenges ahead of the transitional authorities in CAR are enormous, but attainable.

The political situation in the Central African Republic, CAR, has changed rather fast since the beginning of the year. From the January 11, 2013 Libreville Peace Agreement to end the Séléka insurgency to their resumption of hostilities and the demise of the François Bozizé regime on March 24, 2013, it has been a movie-like trend of events. Hardly had new strongman Michel Djotodia settled down when a summit of the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS holding in N'Djamena, Chad on April 3, 2013, refused to recognise him as the country’s new leader.

Instead, ECCAS demanded the creation of a National Transitional Council, NTC, whose members will choose leader and an Acting President, pending elections within 18 months. Barely a day after the summit, Djotodia accepted the resolutions, paving the way for an imminent peaceful transition. Made up of almost 100 members, the NTC was finally formed on April 6, 2013. Observers predict that the Séléka leader is most likely to become Transitional Head of State. No matter who takes over in CAR in the coming days, the challenges are daunting.

Legitimacy

If the recommendations of the N'Djamena summit are implemented to the letter by CAR stakeholders and a new transitional leadership properly formed, the country could quickly return to the comity of nations. This could lead to the lifting of the suspension of CAR’s membership of the African Union and the free flow of foreign aid on which the country heavily depends.

Security

The overthrow of François Bozizé was accompanied by much looting of private homes, public buildings and even the Presidency! The most urgent task of the new authorities is no doubt to rein in lawless soldiers and possibly identify and bring suspected looters to book. Recovering looted property will serve as a timely deterrence to the country’s culture of impunity.

On the other hand, something needs to be done about arms in circulation, encouraging former national army troops that have fled abroad to return home. Eventually, a Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration, DDR programme for former combatants should be introduced. This should lead to the creation of a truly professional, national army. Dealing with marauding Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army, LRA rebels, highway robbers and other armed men from neighbouring countries will help in stabilising the country.    

Political

It remains to be seen if 18 months will be enough to write a new constitution, get it approved in a referendum and organise fresh elections. The botched Libreville Agreement provided for a three-year transition that was also adopted by Michel Djotodia after seizing power. Whether or not the NTC extends the period to 24 months like it is already being suggested in some quarters, the goal is to instill a culture of democracy, inclusion and good governance for a country that has known only one peaceful transition of leadership since independence from France in 1960.

Economy, Business

The Central African Republic is a resource-rich country, endowed with vast deposits of gold, diamonds and uranium, plentiful timber and oil resources, but its 4.5 million people continue to languish in poverty. The UN Human Development Index report for 2012 ranked the country at 180 out of 186 nations. Tackling endemic corruption and mismanagement, and the intolerable levels of poverty should enable the people benefit from their country’s natural endowment. Dealing with security to enable businesses reopen and opening officially/unofficially shut border crossings will in no little measure help land-locked CAR to get back on the rails.

Social

The new authorities in Bangui, including Séléka, must adopt an attitude of “No victor, no vanquished” for true peace and reconciliation to reign amongst the country’s ethnic nationalities. Similarly, there should be no witch hunt of former Bozizé aides or political allies, else some of them in exile might simply use the opportunity to regroup and try to take back power by force of arms.