The Challenges of CAR Unity, Transition

The Central African Republic, CAR, has been in the throes of an unprecedented civil conflict since March 2013 when Michel Djotodia led his Séléka coalition of rebels to overthrow President François Bozizé.

The instability came to a head in December 2013 when Christian anti-Balaka militiamen stormed the capital, Bangui, to try to wrest control from the largely Moslem Séléka fighters. Ever since, the conflict has taken on an increasingly dangerous twist with sectarian and ethnic undertones, resulting in massacres and the massive displacement of people both within and outside the country.

On the other hand, Séléka has been significantly weakened after Michel Djotodia was obliged by sub-regional leaders to resign last January for failing to move forward the transition programme.Though the former Mayor of Bangui, Catherine Samba-Panza, was elected as the next Transitional President by the Interim Parliament, concluding the transition process by February 2015 as recommended by sub-regional leaders, remains a major challenge.

In an interview with Cameroon Tribune (in French), the CAR Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Cameroon, His Excellency Martial Beti-Marace, revisits the security and political situation in his country. As well as restating the indivisibility of his nation, he points out that certain conditions must be met in order for the proposed national reconciliation conference to make a difference and for credible elections to hold.