New approach to peace needed in the Central African Republic

The report argues that the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic has failed due to a lack of implementation and the continued dominance of armed groups. It highlights a 'war economy' that incentivizes instability and notes that the state remains unable to provide its own security, relying on UN troops and bilateral support from Russia and Rwanda. The author calls for a new, holistic approach that prioritizes regional cooperation and economic reconstruction over simple power-sharing agreements.

• The 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation is considered untenable because its key provisions have not been implemented and signatories have shown a lack of commitment. This is evidenced by the formation of the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) in December 2020, which launched attacks on the outskirts of Bangui in January 2021 and disrupted the December 2020 elections.
• Armed groups continue to control the majority of the CAR's territory and maintain military superiority over the national army (FACA). These groups operate a 'rebel enterprise' where they collect taxes from civilians and mining activities, effectively filling the void left by the absent state.
• The strategy of co-opting armed groups into the government and security structures has failed. Specifically, placing rebel leaders in charge of Mixed Special Security Units (MSSUs) was ineffective, as these units demonstrated a lack of discipline, experienced defections, and in some cases, had their weapons looted.
• The CAR is trapped in a 'war economy' where key actors, including some government officials, benefit from international aid and the illicit exploitation of raw materials. This economic structure, combined with a heavy reliance on external assistance for basic services, has reduced the government's incentive to build a capable, autonomous state.
• Instability in the CAR is exacerbated by regional factors, including porous borders and the presence of armed groups from Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad. These groups engage in drug and arms trafficking and the taxation of farming and mining, necessitating a coordinated regional response.
• Despite the presence of 12,800 UN troops (MINUSCA), the international community was unable to ensure security for the 2020 elections. The CAR government had to rely on bilateral military agreements with Russia and Rwanda to repel the CPC's attempt to march on Bangui in January 2021.

APA

Diatta, M. M. (2021). New approach to peace needed in the Central African Republic. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/car19v2.pdf

Chicago

Diatta, Mohamed M. New approach to peace needed in the Central African Republic. Institute for Security Studies, 2021. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/car19v2.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Diatta |first1=Mohamed M |title=New approach to peace needed in the Central African Republic |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=March 2021 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/car19v2.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{diatta2021new, author = {Diatta, Mohamed M}, title = {{New approach to peace needed in the Central African Republic}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2021}, month = mar, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/car19v2.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }