Violence in Central African Republic hinders development

The Central African Republic (CAR) has endured multiple civil wars spawning many anti-government militias. Elections have been postponed indefinitely, as Bangui descends into ethno-religious violence.

CAR’s long-running civil war can be traced to the authoritarian regimes its faced since 1960.

New Hope for Children in Ongoing Central African Republic Conflict

Amid reports that more than 700 women and children were freed from Boko Haram in recent weeks, the United Nations has more good news from a forgotten conflict in nearby Central African Republic (CAR). Eight opposing militias there have signed a deal to release all children affiliated with the groups.

The deal, signed Tuesday during an ongoing weeklong reconciliation conference in the capital city of Bangui, offers amnesty and medical treatment to the some 10,000 children who were conscripted against their will to fight for the groups or kept hostage as sex slaves and menial laborers.

If you think conflict prevention is expensive, try conflict

The awful developments in the Central African Republic are finally drawing the world’s attention to an often forgotten country.

Tragically this is not the first time the country has hit the headlines – there is a clear sense of déjà vu given events ten years ago. Indeed, twenty years ago a local donor learnt that soldiers were about to riot because their wages hadn’t been paid. He desperately ran around the other donors to try to raise the $10 million needed to bridge the gap. No one was willing. It was too much. It was too risky. Aid wasn’t for the military.  After soldiers had torched the capital, donors spent $100 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to fund the cost of reconstruction.

Tens of thousands of Muslims flee Christian militias in Central African Republic

Tens of thousands of Muslims are fleeing to neighboring countries by plane and truck as Christian militias stage brutal attacks, shattering the social fabric of this war-ravaged nation.

View Photo Gallery — Instability and violence in Central African Republic: Killings and atrocities continue as thousands flee to neighboring countries.

In towns and villages as well as here in the capital, Christian vigilantes wielding machetes have killed scores of Muslims, who are a minority here, and burned and looted their houses and mosques in recent days, according to witnesses, aid agencies and peacekeepers. Tens of thousands of Muslims have fled their homes.

6 crazy facts about the rebel leader who just took over the Central African Republic

Meet Michel Djotodia. He is the new head of state in the Central African Republic, by virtue of the fact that he led some rebels into the capital, sent the president fleeing, dissolved the government and appointed himself the new leader. Congrats Michel!

A January photo shows Seleka rebel coalition chief Michel Djotodia arriving for peace talks in Libreville. (Steve Jordan/AFP/Getty Images)

Let’s get to know the latest unelected leader of this long-troubled country. Here are a few facts about Djotodia, drawn from BBC reports and, more significantly, from the scholarship of Louisa Lombard, who specializes in the Central African Republic.

African Union chief arrives in Central African Republic, suggests national unity government

The leader of the African Union, Benin’s President Thomas Boni Yayi, has proposed a government of national unity to resolve the rebel conflict in Central African Republic.

Boni Yayi arrived here Sunday to try to find a negotiated resolution to the country’s crisis. The president of the African Union met with President Francois Bozize and then made an appeal to the rebels.

“I beg my rebellious brothers, I ask them to cease hostilities, to make peace with President (Francois) Bozize and the Central African people,” said Boni Yayi at a press conference in Bangui, the capital. “If you stop fighting, you are helping to consolidate peace in Africa. African people do not deserve all this suffering. The African continent needs peace and not war.”