STAND at USM

Last Update: Oct. 24, 2008 **From the Genocide Intervention Network**

Since mid-2005, more than 10,000 homes were burned and nearly 300,000 people have fled their homes in terror due to the increasing violence in the Central African Republic. Conflict between rebel groups from the marginalized north and the central government caused a widespread increase in the levels of banditry, looting, and widespread human rights violations. In response to rebel movements, the government of the Central African Republic launched a series of indiscriminate counterinsurgency offensives, terrorizing the civilian population of the country and according to Human Rights Watch, affecting the lives of over 1 million of the country's 4 million citizens.

Many have characterized the conflict in the Central African Republic as "spillovers from Darfur." Even though refugee flows from Darfur have increased, it is important that MINURCAT, EUFOR (the joint EU/UN peacekeeping forces) and the international community recognize the largely home-grown conflict dynamics in the Central African Republic.

The recent signature of a peace agreement between the central government and the two main rebel groups is seen as a positive step towards stability in the CAR. Yet, as violence between the government and rebel factions decreases, attacks by Zaraguina bandits are on the rise, leading to continued instability in the country.

• Central African Republic Government troops. President François Bozizé uses both the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and his elite Presidential Guard to counter rebel insurgencies in the north. During counterinsurgency campaigns both forces have committed widespread crimes against humanity. Most violence against civilians is perpetrated by government troops. Human Rights Watch estimated that over 1 million people have been affected by violence instigated by government forces.

• Popular Army for the Restoration of Republic and Democracy (APRD). Made up former President Patassé's Presidential Guard, the APRD have resisted the government. The group only consists of 1,000 poorly equipped troops. Nonetheless the APRD indiscriminately attacks government troops and innocent, non-combatant civilians in the northwest of the country.

• Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR). Largely composed of the predominantly-Muslim Gula ethnic group, as well as ex-libérateurs, former Bozizé supporters; the UFDR are better equipped than the APRD and are based in the northeast of the country. Rebelling against the government because of the region's historic marginalization, the UFDR indiscriminately attacks both government troops and non-combatant civilians.

• Zaraguinas or coupeurs de route (road bandits). Historically operating on the Central African Republic — Chad — Cameroonborder, the zaraguinas have been terrorizing the inhabitants of the northern areas of the Central African Republic, looting villages and killing innocent people on the road.

The main perpetrators of the mass atrocities being committed in the northern areas of the country are the government forces. Regardless, all of the above groups have a hand in directly harming innocent, non-combatant civilians.

In their report, "State of Anarchy: Rebellion and Abuses against Civilians," Human Rights Watch extensively documents the types of violence that currently occur in the conflict. The violence in Ouandango in the northwest region typifies how multiple groups have contributed to the slaughter of civilians. From June - August 2006, a band of zaraguinas armed with AK-47s began attacking the village. Unable to secure government protection, the village sought assistance from the APRD. Finding a heavy presence of APRD at Ouandango, the Central African Armed Forces, reinforced by the Presidential Guard, began attacking the town. According to the Red Cross, 1,042 houses, 60 warehouses, 19 kiosks, and all security offices were burned down during the fighting. Furthermore, villagers complained bitterly that APRD rebels took their livestock and extorted money from them on a weekly basis.

Innocent non-combatant civilians suffer at least the following crimes committed by the government and other rebel groups:

• Indiscriminate, summary executions
• Burning of houses, sometimes entire villages; other destruction of property
• Looting
• Banditry
• Rape and Sexual Violence
• Recruitment of child soldiers