The International Journal of Multidisciplinary Educational Research 1(2), pp. 13-29, November 2020 Available online http:// www.scholarly-journals.com/TIJMER ISSN 2431-7132 © 2020 Scholarly-Journals Full Length Research Paper Civil War in the Central African Republic from 2012- 2016: A Historical Perspective of Foreign and African Interventions Professor Amakievi Okien Ijeoma Gabriel Department of History and International Diplomacy, Faculty of Humanities, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Email:[email protected] Received: 15 October, 2020, Accepted: 2 November, 2020, Published: 31 November, 2020 This discourse on the Second Civil War in the Central African Republic from 2012 to 2016 sought to unravel the causes of the war even though the first civil war which started in 2004 ended in 2008. The reasons for and the roles of intervention actors from Africa and outside Africa were examined. This study largely depended on journal articles, news bulletins, newspapers, and reports (secondary sources) that were readily available. With the skills of interpretation and objectivity as well as the significance of hindsight it was discovered that a fundamental issue was the disarticulation of interaction between the elites resident in Bangui, the capital city, and those residents in other parts of the country. The elites in Bangui did not have adequate knowledge of the challenges especially poverty, inadequate, and in some communities a complete lack of infrastructure for social good. They were also marginalized, a situation that caused disaffection, distrust, discontent, and a feeling of hopelessness. This, therefore, made them vulnerable, particularly the youth to join rebel groups that for more than two decades sustained violence, insecurity, and instability, Inclusiveness in government administration, good governance, basic literacy, widespread educational institutions at all the levels (pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary) of education and establishment of industries, given that huge revenue is generated from their exploitation of natural resources such as diamonds, gold, and timber among others, stable political system and political will by leaders to develop all facets of human endeavor in the country would very much reduce the sources of aggression and restiveness that would culminate in the transformation of the Central African Republic. Keywords: Civil war, Intervention, Inclusiveness, Seleka, Anti-Balaka INTRODUCTION The 2007 and 2008 cease-fire agreements signed Justice and Peace (Convention des Patriots pour la between the government of the Central African Republic Justice et la Paix – (PJP) rebels led by Charles Massi, a (CAR) and various rebel groups that controlled many former Prime Minister of CAR clashed in the towns in the country did not produce the expected peace, northwestern part of the country on June 12, 2009, but only relative calm was experienced for a short period. leaving many rebels and government soldiers dead. By There were several clashes between the rebel groups November 26, 2009, CPJP also attacked and captured and CAR government from the later part of 2008, the town of N'dele in north-central CAR but government November precisely till 2012 when the second civil war troops recaptured Ndele town on November 27, 2009, commenced. For example, on November 11, 2008, and Charles Massi, the leader of CPJP rebel group was rebels ambushed and killed 13 government soldiers near killed by the CAR government on January 8, 2010.2 Kabo.1 Government troops and convention of Patriots for Clashes between government troops and the CPJP rebels https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/sub-saharan- 1 University of Central Arkansas, ‟36 Central African Republic africa-region/central. Retrieved August 29, 2020 91960-present)‟, 2020, p.6. 2 University of Central Arkansas, 2020, p.6-7 Amakievi, 14 rebels continued in their struggle for the control of Birao the second civil war in CAR that commenced in town in northern CAR, in 2010. Rebels captured Birao on December 2012. November 24, 2010, while government troops dislodged the rebels and re-captured Birao on December 1, 2010, CAR Civil War: 2012-2016 with causalities on both sides. Rebels lost 65 persons through death and 15 government soldiers during this The northern part of CAR was the fertile ground for the week-long clashes.3 Apart from government and rebel coalition of diverse rebel groups that emerged as the groups' clashes were also between rival armed groups Seleka and was led by Michel Djotodia. At inception, the such as CPJP and UFDR in Bria town from September coalition consisted of or comprised: 11, 2011, to October 8, 2011, when both groups signed a ceasefire agreement. The government also signed a a). the Convention des patriots pour la justice et la paix peace agreement with the CPJP on August 25, 2012.4 (CPJP); These ceasefires and peace agreements only provided b). Union des Forces Democratiques pour le relative calm because within a short period violence Rassemblement (UFDR); erupted. Violent attacks by a splinter group or faction of c). Front Democratique du Peuple Centrafricain (FDPC); the CPJP known as the "Fundamental CPJP" led by d). Convention Patriotique du Salut du Kodro (CPSK); Colonel Hassan al-Habib attacked the following towns – and some smaller rebel groups Sibut, Damara, and Dakota on September 15, 2012, but e). Alliance pour la Renaissance et la Refondation (A2R); government troops killed Hassan al-Habib in Daya town and on September 19, 2012.5 Other dimensions of tensions f). Union des Forces Republicains (UFR).8 and insecurity in CAR within this period 2008 to 2011 were caused by ethnic clashes such as those in Birao on Seleka means "alliance" in CAR indigenous language, June 6, 2009, and in the northwestern part of CAR on Sango, and true to this name, their main goals were to June 21, 2009, resulting in the death of 27 and 10 seek comprehensive political reform after a decade of individuals respectively.6 President Francois Bozize's regime from 2003 to 2013. Zaraguinas loosely organized criminal gangs who Issues of discrimination and marginalization against the operated in the north of CAR terrorized civilians through northern part of CAR were to be redressed. There was kidnapping and killing those who could not pay the low or non-payment of salaries in the north, high ransom. In fact by the United Nations (UN) estimate as of unemployment and the absence of basic services such July 2008, 197,200 people in northern CAR had been as schools and hospitals among others, and particularly a displaced due to insecurity and largely as a result of dearth of basic public amenities and infrastructures, in Zaraguinas attacks and UN aid delivery trucks were often the northeast.9 These triggers partly contributed to the fired by Zaraguinas gangs.7 The religious violence that Seleka attack against Bozize‟s regime that culminated in occurred in Bangui on May 31 – June 1, 2011, led to the Bozize‟s ouster in 2013. By December 2012 Seleka death of eleven individuals who were mostly Chadians. groups had occupied most towns in CAR and were Chadian rebel groups who found a haven in the Vakaga heading towards Bangui, CAR capital. The Seleka group region of northern CAR border with Chad and Sudan indeed was determined to topple Bozize, take over the were lawless and with armed rebels, moved freely and state, and seize the country's natural resources.10 conflicts around the border easily affected Chad and Emboldened by the fact that they had control over a Sudan, threatening their government and stability too. larger part of the country, the north in particular and the These clashes, the result of dissatisfaction by the rebel support of Chadian and Sudanese mercenaries series of groups who claimed that President Francois Bozize failed attacks took place in December 2012. Specifically, the to implement earlier peace agreements of 2007 and 2008 following towns among others were captured by the to the letter also underscored their quest for the removal Seleka rebels: Ndele, Bamingui, Bria, Kabo, Bambari of Bozize from office and the emergence of the Seleka Kaga-Bandoro, and Sibut.11 Many government soldiers, group that vehemently opposed CAR government led by Bozize. Again, the narrative so far has set the stage for 8 C. Emhede, 'Conflict Untangled: the political, social and economic factors behind the Central African Republic ethnoreligious conflict', A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the 3 University of Central Arkansas, 2002, p.7 requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Theology, in 4 University of Central Arkansas, 2002, p.7 the Department of Theology, Uppsala University, June 2017, 5 University of Central Arkansas, 2002, p.7 p.10. Retrieved August 9, 2020. 6 University of Central Arkansas, 2002, p.6 9 Institute For Peace and Security Studies, „Conflict Analysis 7 Human Rights Watch, „World Report 2009: Central African and Insights: Central African Republic (CAR) Conflict Insight, Republic (CAR) Events of 2008‟, 2020, p.2. 2019, vol, 2 Retrieved https://ww.hrw.org/world-report/2009/country-chapters/central- 10 University of Central Arkansas, 2020, p.7 african-republic. Retrieved August 29, 2020. 11 University of Central Arkansas, 2020, p.7 Int. J. of Multidisciplinary Educ. Res. 15 rebels, and civilians (women and children) died during Ceasefire and Withdrawal Agreement with the Central these attacks. African Government; Some many countries and organizations intervened during this period