Central African Republic Bush War
Encyclopedia
The Central African Republic Bush War began with the rebellion by the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity
(UFDR) rebels, led by Michel Detodia
, after the current President of the Central African Republic
, François Bozizé
, seized power in 2003. However, the real fighting began in 2004. The Civil War may be connected to the Darfur conflict
in neighbouring Sudan
. So far, around 10,000 people have been displaced because of the civil unrest.
The UFDR consists of three allies, the Groupe d'action patriotique pour la liberation de Centrafrique (GAPLC), the Mouvement des libérateurs Centrafricains pour la justice
(MLCJ), and the Front démocratique Centrafricain (FDC). The group signed a peace agreement with the government in April 2007.
in the north-east of the Central African Republic.
, on November 8, and pleaded for the government's troops to confront the UFDR. Twenty members of the government were killed, and only three of the rebels died in this attack. It was also confirmed that the UFDR had gained access to several armored vehicles, including a plane that landed in Birao earlier to bring supplies.
On November 13, 2006, a third town was seized by the UFDR, Sam-Ouandja, a town in the northern part of the CAR. Just three days later, claims stated that a fourth town, Ouadda
, had been captured by the rebels. When the 20,000 residents of the city heard that the UFDR was going to capture the town, between 5,000 and 10,000 of those people fled mostly to the neighboring cities of Bamabari and Bangui.
The UFDR are reportedly planning to take over the city of Bria
, though rumours also support an additional attack may occur in Ndele.
In December 2006, Chadian troops in three army trucks attacked Bémal, located next to Bétoko, firing randomly at the population and taking 32 cows from the village, as well as farming implements and sacks of peanuts.
(HRW), hundreds of civilians have been killed, more than 10,000 houses burned, and approximately 212,000 persons have fled their homes to live in desperate conditions deep in the bush in northern Central African Republic.
Further negotiations resulted in an agreement in 2008 for reconciliation, a unity government, and local elections in 2009 and parliamentary and presidential elections in 2010; the new government was formed in January 2009.
Union of Democratic Forces for Unity
Union of Democratic Forces for Unity is a rebel group which fought against the government in the Central African Republic Civil War. The Central African Republic has accused the UFDR of being backed by the government of Sudan....
(UFDR) rebels, led by Michel Detodia
Michel Detodia
Michel Detodia was a rebel leader who was the leader of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity and the Patriotic Action Group for the Liberation of Central African Republic in the Central African Republic Bush War between 2004-2007....
, after the current President of the Central African Republic
Central African Republic
The Central African Republic , is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It borders Chad in the north, Sudan in the north east, South Sudan in the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo in the south, and Cameroon in the west. The CAR covers a land area of about ,...
, François Bozizé
François Bozizé
François Bozizé Yangouvonda is the President of the Central African Republic. He came to power in March 2003 after leading a rebellion against President Ange-Félix Patassé and ushered in a transitional period of government...
, seized power in 2003. However, the real fighting began in 2004. The Civil War may be connected to the Darfur conflict
Darfur conflict
The Darfur Conflict was a guerrilla conflict or civil war centered on the Darfur region of Sudan. It began in February 2003 when the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and Justice and Equality Movement groups in Darfur took up arms, accusing the Sudanese government of oppressing non-Arab Sudanese in...
in neighbouring Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
. So far, around 10,000 people have been displaced because of the civil unrest.
The UFDR consists of three allies, the Groupe d'action patriotique pour la liberation de Centrafrique (GAPLC), the Mouvement des libérateurs Centrafricains pour la justice
Movement of Central African Liberators for Justice
Movement of Central African Liberators for Justice is a rebel group in the Central African Republic led by Abakor Sabone. The group is a splinter group from the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity and was involved in fighting in the Central African Republic Bush War....
(MLCJ), and the Front démocratique Centrafricain (FDC). The group signed a peace agreement with the government in April 2007.
2004
In November 2004, at least 20 people were killed in a raid on the remote town of BiraoBirao
Birao is the capital of Vakaga, one of the 14 prefectures of the Central African Republic and was an administrative post in the colony of Ubangui-Shari. In March 2007, the town was almost completely burnt down in the fighting between rebels and government troops in the area...
in the north-east of the Central African Republic.
2006
Thousands of people marched into the capital of the CAR, BanguiBangui
-Law and government:Bangui is an autonomous commune of the Central African Republic. With an area of 67 km², it is by far the smallest high-level administrative division of the CAR in area but the highest in population...
, on November 8, and pleaded for the government's troops to confront the UFDR. Twenty members of the government were killed, and only three of the rebels died in this attack. It was also confirmed that the UFDR had gained access to several armored vehicles, including a plane that landed in Birao earlier to bring supplies.
On November 13, 2006, a third town was seized by the UFDR, Sam-Ouandja, a town in the northern part of the CAR. Just three days later, claims stated that a fourth town, Ouadda
Ouadda
Ouadda is a town located in the Central African Republic prefecture of Haute-Kotto....
, had been captured by the rebels. When the 20,000 residents of the city heard that the UFDR was going to capture the town, between 5,000 and 10,000 of those people fled mostly to the neighboring cities of Bamabari and Bangui.
The UFDR are reportedly planning to take over the city of Bria
Bria
Bria is the capital of Haute-Kotto, one of the 14 prefectures of the Central African Republic. In the 2003 census the town had a population of 35,204.See also: prefectures of the Central African Republic...
, though rumours also support an additional attack may occur in Ndele.
In December 2006, Chadian troops in three army trucks attacked Bémal, located next to Bétoko, firing randomly at the population and taking 32 cows from the village, as well as farming implements and sacks of peanuts.
2007
On April 13, 2007, a peace agreement between the government and the UFDR was signed in Birao. The agreement provides for an amnesty for the UFDR, its recognition as a political party, and the integration of its fighters into the army.Aftermath
According to the Human Rights WatchHuman Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
(HRW), hundreds of civilians have been killed, more than 10,000 houses burned, and approximately 212,000 persons have fled their homes to live in desperate conditions deep in the bush in northern Central African Republic.
Further negotiations resulted in an agreement in 2008 for reconciliation, a unity government, and local elections in 2009 and parliamentary and presidential elections in 2010; the new government was formed in January 2009.
Human rights violations and crimes
See also
- Darfur conflictDarfur conflictThe Darfur Conflict was a guerrilla conflict or civil war centered on the Darfur region of Sudan. It began in February 2003 when the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and Justice and Equality Movement groups in Darfur took up arms, accusing the Sudanese government of oppressing non-Arab Sudanese in...
- Civil war in Chad (2005–2010)
- List of wars 2003–current