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NO.2479-Central Africa is fighting
Text: Kilimanjaro's snow
Proofreader: Guo Hanying / Editor: Guo Licheng
In recent years, against the backdrop of increasing global turmoil, wars have persisted in Africa, where the security situation is already poor. Recently, the internal conflict in the Central African Republic, another African country, has been intensifying.
On June 11, the Mainland Embassy in Central Africa issued a "Briefing on the Security Situation in the Central African Republic", pointing out that the recent clashes between the Central African Defense Forces and the opposition armed "Patriotic Renewal Union" have made the current security situation in Central Africa grim and complicated, reminding Chinese citizens not to travel to other areas outside the capital Bangui for the time being.
Compatriots in Central Africa should pay attention to their own safety▼
The current conflict in the Central African Republic is a continuation of years of civil war. Central Africa is a very resource-rich country, rich in minerals such as uranium, oil, gold, diamonds and cobalt, rich in forest resources and a large amount of fertile land. But the country is one of the poorest. Therefore, the country has also been listed by many academic studies as an important case of the "resource curse".
Abundant resources do not bring corresponding wealth
Another country that sits on a gold mine and cries
(Photo: OneImage) ▼
There are many similarities in the political development of African countries after independence, and the post-independence path of many African countries has generally experienced the following links: the establishment of democratic institutions after independence imitated Western countries - military autocracy after the collapse of democracy - another attempt at democratization - democratic consolidation failed again.
Since independence, the Central African Republic has been an object of repeated domination and ravages by colonial powers, domestic strongmen and neighboring countries.
Central Africa is located▼
Historical background of the conflict in Central Africa
In August 1960, the Central African Republic became independent from France, and David Dacko became the country's first president. But France still manipulates politics in Central Africa. After a brief attempt at democratization after independence in Central Africa, it welcomed the country's most "famous" figure internationally: Jean Béder Bokassa.
Daktronics wants to maintain France's support
He also wanted to show that he was not subservient to France
His vacillating attitude also cost him his presidency
(The visit of the President of Israel to Central Africa in 1962 Photo: wiki) ▼
During World War II, Bokassa served in the Free French Army and was received by Charles de Gaulle, who called him "my dad".
De Gaulle probably didn't expect it
This guy who came up to "be a son" for himself
Will become a national leader in twenty years
(Photo: wiki) ▼
In December 1959, Bokassa had returned to Central Africa to create the Central African National Army and to serve as its "Commander-in-Chief". On the last day of 1965 (January 1, 1966), Bokassa staged a coup d'état that overthrew the government of his cousin David Dako, beginning his absurd and brutal rule.
When Bokasa came to power, his ambition did not diminish
And it will expose his arrogant and domineering nature
(Photo: OneImage) ▼
The people of Bokassaki were very desolate and cruel, and there were various legends of his cannibalism in the rivers and lakes; He also changed the state to the "Central African Empire" in 1976 and was later crowned emperor.
In 1972, Emperor Bokassa stood in front of the crowned Golden Eagle throne
(Photo: OneImage) ▼
But Bokassa has the support of France. Later, under the opposition of the Central African people and the world, France launched a coup in 1979 to overthrow Bokassa's "empire" and reinstall David Dako to power.
Just two years later, the regime was overthrown by a coup d'état by General André Kolingba, and Central Africa fell back into a military dictatorship.
As a soldier, Kolingba was loyal to Dako and then to Bokassa
However, he also personally ended the reign of these two cousins
(Photo: Letsunami)
Driven by a new wave of "democratization" in Africa and pressure from Western countries, the Central African Republic held elections in 1993, and Ange-Félix Patassé became the first democratically elected president in the history of Central Africa.
But the Patassé period was the key to a turning point in Central Africa. For the rulers before him, though brutal, maintained the general stability of the situation; After him, the situation in Central Africa fell into turmoil.
Previously during the reign of Bokassa
Inpatassé is the "cousin" of Bokassa's wife, and he is deeply trusted by Bokassa
He has served in almost all governmental organizations formed by Bokassa
(Photo: Alchetron)
Supporters of former President Kolingba believe that the Patassé government "persecuted" them; Other promoters of the "democratization" of Central Africa believe that they carried their heads to the dedication of Central Africa, and Patassé has been hiding abroad and has returned to "pick peaches".
But Western countries, especially France, saw Patassé's election as a "triumph of democracy" and gave him strong support.
During military exercises in Central Africa in 1992
A soldier of the French 11th Marine Corps Artillery Regiment
(Photo: wiki) ▼
Unfortunately, under the exploitation of France, the Patassé government has lackluster economic development. The economic crisis has led to political instability. This, coupled with Patassé's vigorous use of cronies from his hometown, led to continued political turmoil in the country.
Since 1996, three consecutive mutinies against the Patassé government have been staged by some members of the Central African armed forces because of wage arrears, labour problems and ethnic differences, particularly among which soldiers from the Yakoma ethnic group are particularly dissatisfied.
President Patassé, with the support of France, defeated the rebels, and the United Nations established a mission to Central Africa to maintain stability in Central Africa.
Even though Central Africa has been independent from French rule for nearly four decades
In the face of domestic turmoil, it is still inseparable from France's intervention and support
(French soldiers maintaining order during the mutiny: Zupimages)
However, the partisan conflict of 1996-1997 opened a Pandora's box of unrest in Central Africa. Despite the peace agreement, there was a lack of mutual trust between the Patassé government and the opposition, and the army was divided along ethnic lines, namely the "northerners" (Sara-Kaba) and "southerners" represented by Patassé (the Yacoma ethnic group, to which Andre Kolingba belonged).
The Sala are native to Chad and are the largest ethnic group in Chad
The Kaba are a tribe of the Sara ethnic group
The Yacoma are a minority in Central Africa
The population accounts for only 4% of the country's population, and about 10,000 people live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
In May 2001, there was another rebellion in Central Africa, with "southerners" forces occupying parts of the capital, Bangui.
President Patassé, supported by Libyan and Congolese rebel Mouvement de libération du Congo (MLC), has stabilized the situation, but the conflict between the two sides has intensified. General François Bozizé, who enjoyed high prestige in the army, was forced into exile in Chad.
In March 2003, Boziz, with Chadian support, staged a coup d'état while President Patassé was away for a meeting abroad and assumed the presidency.
Going out home is gone, it's really a mess into a pot of porridge
(Photo: Flickr)
From "jungle wars" to sectarian civil wars
When Boziz came to power, supporters of ousted former President Patassé, mainly "northerners", immediately rebelled.
The rebels have successively formed rebel organizations such as UFDR, the People's Army for the Restoration of Democracy (CAR), the Movement of Central African Liberators for Justice (MLCJ), the Front pour la démocratie du peicratie (FDC) and the Union des Forces of Republican Forces (UFR).
Although wearing a different military uniform
But with the same rebellious ambitions
(Photo: Flickr)
These rebels were supported by the Sudan and Chad, respectively, with Chad initially supporting Boziz but later turning against him. France, on the other hand, supported President Boziz's forces.
Because the war was fought mainly in the wooded terrain on the edge of the Sahara Desert in northern Central Africa, it was called the "Bush War".
Illustration of the jungle battle process▼
The town of Birao, which was extensively burned during the war
(Photo: Flickr)
Since 2007, peace agreements have been reached between the Boziz government and rebel groups.
But some of the rebels, mostly Muslim, refused to reconcile with the Boziz government, and they formed a new rebel coalition, the Séléka coalition. The "jungle war" in Central Africa evolved into a civil war characterized by sectarian conflict.
Incorporation of religious elements
It is like adding another layer of "debuff" to the civil unrest in Central Africa
("Sereka" soldiers on patrol Photo: OneImage) ▼
In April 2013, forces from the Sereka Alliance captured the capital, Bangui, forcing Boziz to flee, and rebel leader Michel Jotodia declared himself president.
However, due to the struggle for power, the "Sereka Alliance" soon fell apart and was disbanded by Chotodia, and the splinter armed group became known collectively as the "Ex-Séléka".
Illustration of the areas captured by the "Sereka Alliance" from December 2012 to March 2013▼
But ex-Sereca forces provoked a backlash against the killings of Christians in the south, with some Christians and traditional believers forming a militia called Anti-balaka, killing each other and arbitrarily killing civilians of different faiths, plunging the Central African Republic into a scuffle.
Some church leaders have questioned the group's claim to be entirely Christian in nature
At this point in the chaos, I don't know how many of them are really fighting for faith
("Anti-Balaka" militia Photo: wiki) ▼
According to the United Nations, Central Africa is effectively divided into a Christian zone and an Islamic zone, and that the two regions are also internally factional. The United Nations and France have also warned that Central Africa is in danger of genocide.
There is nothing wrong with religion
What is terrible is the artificial use of religion to kill
(Mosque destroyed during the "Battle of Bangui" in 2013 Photo: wiki) ▼
International peacekeeping and chaotic order
In the face of the chaotic situation in Central Africa, the African Union sent 6,000 peacekeepers and France sent 2,000 peacekeepers in Central Africa. On 10 April 2014, the UN Security Council deployed the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSTAH) to resume peacekeeping operations in Central Africa.
Central Africa is still mired in civil war and does not see the dawn of peace
The road to peacekeeping in Central Africa can only be said to be obstructive and long
(Photo: OneImage) ▼
In February 2016, with the supervision and support of the international community, a general election was held in Central Africa, in which Faustin-Archange Touadéra won the election and became the new president of Central Africa, which was widely recognized by the international community.
Tuvadella was the first pro-Russian government in the history of Central Africa
In the 2021 presidential election, Bozizé tried to "enter the palace twice"
But it failed with military support from Russia and Rwanda
Tuvadera was re-elected
(Photo: wiki) ▼
There are no "ex-Sereka" and "anti-Balaka" members in the new government, and Central Africa is rife with a large number of armed separatist groups. Therefore, although it claims to be a legitimate government, it can only control a small part of the south, and the entire northern region and part of the southern region are in the hands of various armed groups.
Democratically elected Government of the Central African Republic
There is little power outside the capital, Bangui
Millions of people have been displaced fleeing the war
(Photo: OneImage) ▼
At the very least, Sereka has evolved into armed organizations such as the Popular Front for the Reconstruction of Central Africa, the Central African National Unity Party, the Central African Patriotic Rally for the Renaissance (disbanded in December 2022), and the Central African Peace Alliance. In addition to clashing with the "anti-balaka" group, they also have disagreements with each other.
In addition, since 2015, the "3R" (French: Retour, Réclamation et Réhabilitation, meaning return, reclamation, rehabilitation), an armed group composed of another ethnic minority, the Fulani, has emerged in the western part of the Central African Republic, which has nothing to do with "anti-balaka" or "ex-Sereka".
The rise of various armed forces in Central Africa
Most of them are the product of violence against violence
("3R" organization Photo: wiki) ▼
These rebel groups are based on specific ethnic groups and are supported by foreign forces such as Chad, Sudan, and Congolese rebels.
Rebels from Chad, Uganda, Sudan and Congo, such as Uganda's Spiritualist Resistance Army, are also operating in Central Africa, further destabilizing the situation in the Central African Republic.
Children who grow up in the brutality of war are no more than a life of escape
Or not be forced to join the war only for self-preservation or revenge
The raging war will not know when it will be extinguished
(Illustration depicting children attacking villages by the Lord's Resistance Army) ▼
These armed groups are at loggerheads among themselves. Ironically, in order to oppose the Central African elections, in 2020, some "anti-balaka" personnel formed an organization called the "Patriots Change Alliance" with some forces of the former enemy "former Sereka" and the "3R" organization.
Even more ironic, in March 2021, the organization elected former President Boziz, who had been overthrown by Sereka, as its "general coordinator."
Can unite these outlaws who fight separately
Only a common enemy
(Photo: Twitter)
The chaos in Central Africa has also spawned a freak known as "armed entrepreneurs." They have carved out personal fiefdoms, set up checkpoints in them, collected illegal taxes and profited heavily from the illegal coffee, mineral and timber trade.
In the face of the chaotic situation in the country, Tuvadella is also seeking new supporters, and Russia's Wagner military bloc has become a new option. Since 2017, the Wagner Group has provided military support to the Central African government and gradually squeezed French power out of Central Africa. In December 2020, Rwanda also sent troops to support the Central African government.
The intervention of new forces has left an already chaotic situation
It becomes more confusing
(Figure: RFI) ▼
The chaotic situation in Central Africa shows no signs of resolving for the foreseeable future. It will also make it compelled for the people of the country to continue to face brutal violence.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_African_Republic
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/3d8f11894.pdf#page=6&zoom=100,0,0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_African_Republic_Bush_War
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_African_Republic_Civil_War
https://www.hk01.com/ World Theme / 582726 / - Cursed - Central African Republic - Civil War - Religion - Minerals and Cattle - Geography Looking at the Boundary of the Earth
*The content of this article is provided by the author and does not represent the position of the Earth Knowledge Bureau
Cover: OneImage.com
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