Mapping Conflict Motives: Central African Republic Steven Spittaels & Filip Hilgert
Mapping Conflict Motives: Central African Republic Steven Spittaels & Filip Hilgert 1 Research and editing: Steven Spittaels & Filip Hilgert Layout: Anne Hullebroeck Antwerp 17 February 2009 Caption photo Front Page: Bush fire preceding the trek of transhumant cowherds. The fires herald the beginning of the dry season and the resumption of bandit attacks (IPIS 2008) Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank all their interviewees. The authors would like to thank the following organisations for their input: HDPT CAR, OCHA, UNHCR, BONUCA, UNDSS, LACCEG, ECOFAC, FNEC, PARPAF, BECDOR, DPER and JUPEDEC The authors would like to thank the following organisations for their logistic support: OCHA, WFP, Triangle GH, IMC, DRC, the Episcopate of Kaga-Bandoro, Merlin, CAM, and the EU “This project is funded by the European Union. The content of this project is the sole responsibil- ity of IPIS and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.” 2 Summary Compared to its notorious neighbours to the north, east and south, the Central African Republic is an unknown country with few inhabitants. Nevertheless, its population has been suffering from violence for a long time. Not many areas in the Central African Republic are really secure. Although the country is scarcely populated, it is tormented by a multitude of armed actors. These belligerents use their weapons for a diversity of reasons but they have one thing in common: each of them would be a weak opponent for any well-organised state, but then this is exactly what the country lacks. Firstly, there are three Central African rebel groups with armed men on the ground that exert authority in the areas under their control.
[Show full text]