Central African Republic

The Central African Republic has struggled with political crises and armed conflict for years. In 2013, predominantly Muslim rebel groups banded together to oppose the government, committing mass atrocities against civilians as they marched on the capital. Largely Christian self-defense forces began targeting Muslim civilians in response. A 2014 United Nations report concluded that abuses by these forces amounted to ethnic cleansing of the country’s Muslim community. There has been very little justice or accountability for these abuses. Violence escalated again in late 2020 when former President François Bozizé joined rebel groups launching attacks aimed at disrupting the elections. The government held elections despite the attacks, and violence continued into 2021. Read conflict background, analysis of the US government’s response, and an assessment on the risk of new mass killing.