What’s subsequent after violent elections in Central African Republic?

The seize of Bangassou by the rebels of the “Coalition of Patriots for Change” (CPC) has put the highlight again on the violence within the Central African Republic.
“Our forces were totally outnumbered by the rebels and had to take refuge in a base of the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA,” stated Central African authorities spokesman Ange Maxime Kazagui in a DW interview, describing the state of affairs within the city, which is positioned about 750 kilometers (466 miles) from the capital Bangui.
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Thousands of residents reportedly fled from the attackers throughout the close by border into the neighboring Republic of Congo. Several residents, safety forces, and troopers from the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA have been killed. Besides, there have been quite a few wounded, the spokesman added.
The function of ex-President Bozize
The authorities and MINUSCA accuse former President Francois Bozize of supporting the insurgent alliance, allegations Bozize has denied.
He was initially thought to have the very best likelihood of efficiently difficult incumbent Faustin-Archange Touadera.But the Central African Constitutional Court had rejected his candidacy — arguing that Bozize was beneath UN sanctions for alleged help of teams the UN accuses of committing battle crimes between 2013 and 2015.
“Francois Bozize is a professional coup plotter,” stated Thierry Vircoulon, coordinator of the Observatory for South and Central Africa at IFRI, the French Institute of International Relations. Bozize has been the mastermind of assorted coups up to now, he stated. “From that point of view, he remains true to himself by attacking again now,” Vircoulon stated.
Bozize got here to energy in a coup in 2003 earlier than being ousted from workplace by a insurgent group in 2013. Shortly earlier than the election, there had been fierce preventing between authorities troops and rebels who had marched on to the capital Bangui. The authorities accused Bozize of plotting a coup with the rebels.
On Monday, the nation’s legal professional common lastly opened an investigation in opposition to Bozize. He is accused of destabilizing the state and main a insurrection, in addition to supporting a terrorist group.
For Vircoulon, this investigation in opposition to Bozize is greater than justified: “There were already enough reasons to indict him in the past. He has gone unpunished for far too long, and this impunity has contributed to the current problems.”
Voting within the midst of violence
In the capital Bangui, the worst was prevented — with the help of worldwide troops. The insurgent offensive had aimed to cease the election course of. But the election befell, regardless that 14% of the polling stations needed to stay closed due to violence.

In the meantime, President Faustin-Archange Touadera was declared the winner of the election with practically 54% of the vote. His strongest challenger, Anicet-Georges Dologuele, garnered round 21%. The vote was seen as a take a look at of stability within the Central African Republic, the place civil battle broke out in March 2013.
The re-elected head of state, Touadera, has been in energy since 2016. Despite the presence of worldwide troops and peacekeepers, the federal government has not managed to stabilize the huge nation after Bozizé’s fall.
Rebels ‘gaining ground’
“We have the city of Bangassou under our control and the fighting there has stopped,” insurgent coalition spokesman Serge Bozanga advised DW in an interview, including that the rebels are aiming far greater: “Our goal is and remains to take Bangui. We want 100% of the national territory.”
Rebels had already launched an assault in Damara, 70 kilometers north of Bangui, on Saturday (Jan. 02, 2021) — a area thought-about a Touadera stronghold — earlier than being pushed out by Central African Republic forces and UN peacekeepers.
The state of affairs within the nation is catastrophic, Vircoulon warns. “This election took place under disastrous conditions and the published result is not meaningful. “One must speak of a true step backward compared to the elections in 2015.” The disastrous safety state of affairs within the nation additionally contributes to the nation’s bleak outlook, Vircoulon advised DW. The UN, the African Union, the European Union, and the Central African Economic Community issued a joint assertion on Tuesday to resolve variations peacefully after the election outcomes have been introduced.

A troublesome path to peace
“We are not closing our minds to a possible discussion,” insurgent spokesman Bozanga advised DW, recalling {that a} cease-fire had already been agreed upon earlier than the December 27 elections. However, the federal government has not revered the cease-fire, Bozanga claimed.
Government spokesman Kazagui, alternatively, rejects any supply of negotiation by the rebels. In an interview with DW, he harassed that his authorities would by no means negotiate with individuals guided by a “logic of violence”: “We reject any discussion with groups planning a coup against the legitimate order,” Kazagui stated.
A civil battle within the Central African Republic is raging, triggered by the armed insurgency of Seleka rebels, a predominantly Muslim militia group, and the likewise armed response of the anti-Balaka, a predominantly Christian militia group. According to the UN, about three out of 5 individuals require help as a consequence of ongoing violence and instability.