Originally published on the CGS blog on November 13, 2013.
The current situation in the Central African Republic is beyond terrible. Following the rebel overthrow of President Francois Bozize in March of this year, thousands have been displaced and are facing starvation and malnutrition. Almost 70,000 refugees have fled the country, putting strain on unstable and poor neighboring countries like Chad. The countryside is almost completely lawless with armed gangs attacking civilians and villages. It is almost impossible for humanitarian aid to reach those suffering and two UN officials have been attacked.
Two groups are responsible for the majority of the violence and terrorism, the Seleka rebels and self defense militias known as anti-Balaka. People affiliated with the groups terrorize the civilian populace, conducting nighttime raids and attacks on houses and even entire villages. 18 women and children were massacred in late October by Seleka fighters. The clashes between the rebels and the militias have deepened cleavages along sectarian and ethnic lines in the population.
Last week the UN Security Council approved a 250-strong ‘Protection Force’ to provide security for humanitarian aid workers and UN officials in the country. This force could be increased to 560 soldiers if necessary. The UNSC has condemned what is going on in the CAR, but beyond the Protection Force, not much has been done.
The CAR needs a full scale peacekeeping force like the one in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Mali. The UN has also called for an increase in humanitarian aid, but if that aid cannot reach those suffering, it will not be very useful. The situation in CAR is not in the headlines either; many people do not know about the humanitarian crisis or the atrocities being committed.
The Central African Republic is in dire need of international help, both humanitarian and peacekeeping, but international funding and political will may not exist to facilitate help. Hopefully, the Protection Force will be expanded and eventually become an actual mission once more reports by officials and members of the force make their way to the Security Council and General Assembly.
