https://www.salo.org.za/countries/central-african-republic/Recent content in Central African Republic on Southern African Liaison OfficeHugo -- gohugo.ioen-zaMon, 12 Jul 2021 09:10:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/human-security-in-the-central-african-republic-prospects-and-perspectives-thursday-23-may-2019/Thu, 23 May 2019 10:03:51 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/human-security-in-the-central-african-republic-prospects-and-perspectives-thursday-23-may-2019/On the occasion of her visit to South Africa, Ms Valerie Petitpierre, ICRC Head of Delegation in the Central African Republic. SALO and the ICRC hosted a Discussion Seminar on: HUMAN SECURITY IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: PROSPECTS AND PERSPECTIVES DATE: Thursday 23 May 2019 VENUE: Sierra Burgers Park Hotel, Pretoria After seven years of cyclical conflict, the Central African Republic has recently seen the conclusion of two peace agreements, which bring promise to end violence.https://www.salo.org.za/press-release-conflict-diamonds-from-car-entering-international-markets-via-cameroon/Mon, 05 Dec 2016 08:46:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/press-release-conflict-diamonds-from-car-entering-international-markets-via-cameroon/Kimberley Process must act after new report reveals shortfalls in Cameroon’s traceability procedures create opportunities for smuggling and corruption OTTAWA, Canada, December 2, 2016/ – Cameroon is allowing conflict diamonds from the Central African Republic to cross over its borders and into the legal supply chain due to poor controls, smuggling and corruption, Partnership Africa Canada (www.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-19-august-2016/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 17:58:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-19-august-2016/After standoff, UN force detains 10 armed men, recovers weapons cache The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) has reported that after a standoff with a convoy of heavily-armed men near Sibut, the capital of Kémo Prefecture, UN forces detained 10 of the suspects and recovered a “significant quantity” of weapons and munitions.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-12-august-2016/Fri, 12 Aug 2016 13:46:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-12-august-2016/Son of Central African Republic Ex-President Detained Central African Republic’s justice minister says United Nations officials have detained the son of a former president and handed him over to the country’s authorities. Jean-Francis Bozize, whose father was toppled in 2013, returned to the country Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-5-august-2016/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:04:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-5-august-2016/UN Calls for Reconciliation in Central African Republic The U.N. Security Council called on the Central African Republic’s new president on Tuesday to urgently foster reconciliation between Muslims and Christians in order to reunify the country which has been plagued by sectarian violence.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-29-july-2016/Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:29:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-29-july-2016/Renewal of MINUSCA mandate France applauds the unanimous adoption, by the UN Security Council, of the resolution renewing the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) until November 15, 2017. This renewed mandate will allow MINUSCA to better protect civilians and deal with armed groups.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-22-july-2016/Fri, 22 Jul 2016 19:59:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-22-july-2016/EU launches two-year military mission in the Central African Republic The European Union has announced the launch of a two-year military training mission in the Central African Republic to be based in the capital Bangui. The European Union Council said in a statement over the weekend that the mission which will be led by a French commander, General Eric Hautecloque-Raysz, will “contribute to the EU’s comprehensive approach and security sector reform in the country”.https://www.salo.org.za/united-nations-news-centre-central-african-republic/Wed, 13 Jul 2016 12:27:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/united-nations-news-centre-central-african-republic/8 July 2016 Central African Republic’s leaders must commit to inclusive, transparent governance, Security Council told The Central African Republic’s (CAR) considerable progress over the past two years risks being reversed unless national authorities demonstrated commitment to inclusive and transparent governance, and to addressing the root causes of the crisis afflicting the country, the United Nations peacekeeping chief warned today.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-8-july-2016/Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:27:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-8-july-2016/UN rights chief warns of violence re-escalating in Central African Republic The United Nations human rights chief today warned that the security and human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) may be starting to deteriorate again, after a series a major incidents in the capital of Bangui and rural areas.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-24-june-2016/Fri, 24 Jun 2016 09:58:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-24-june-2016/Bemba Gets 18 Years for Central African Republic War Crimes Jean-Pierre Bemba is the first person to be convicted by the ICC of crimes of sexual violence in war. Congolese politician Jean-Pierre Bemba was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the International Criminal Court on Tuesday for heading a 2002-03 campaign of rape and murder in neighbouring Central African Republic.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-17-june-2016/Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:27:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-17-june-2016/Ban welcomes Central African Republic President’s resolve to seek all-inclusive resolution to crisis Meeting today with Faustin Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic (CAR), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that the country had turned a corner following the holding of democratic elections, and welcomed the leader’s resolve to fully address the root causes of the country’s crisis in an inclusive spirit.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-3-june-2016/Fri, 03 Jun 2016 20:13:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-3-june-2016/Central African Republic special report, and the IMF’s hype Conflict in Central African Republic has left 2.3 million people needing aid and raised fears of a “gradual disintegration of the state”. Clár Ní Chonghaile met midwives attempting to save lives amid the chaos, teachers giving lessons on peace and reconciliation, and the head of the UN mission pledging to end troop abuses.https://www.salo.org.za/exploring-the-new-political-landscape-in-central-african-republic-a-cnbc-africa-interview-with-simon-p-alain-handy/Thu, 02 Jun 2016 06:26:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/exploring-the-new-political-landscape-in-central-african-republic-a-cnbc-africa-interview-with-simon-p-alain-handy/Following the 19th April Workshop “Recent Elections in Central African Republic (CAR) and Prospects for the Future”, an interview discussing the new political landscape in CAR was facilitated between CNBC Africa and Simon Alain Handy. If the video does not load automatically, please click here to watch the full interview on the CNBC Africa website.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-27-may-2016/Fri, 27 May 2016 10:43:28 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-27-may-2016/Central African Republic Rebels Demand Positions in Government An armed group of Muslim fighters in the Central African Republic said it will only hand over weapons if some of its representatives are appointed to government positions. Leaders of the so-called Seleka rebel group “must be represented in decision-making state institutions in order to facilitate the disarmament process,” Abdoulaye Hissene, a Seleka commander, told reporters Wednesday in the capital, Bangui.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-20-may-2016/Sat, 21 May 2016 09:38:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-20-may-2016/MSF worker killed by gunmen in Central African Republic Medical relief charity Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) has halted operations in part of west Central African Republic after a staff member was shot dead during an ambush on one of its convoys, it said on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-13-may-2016/Fri, 13 May 2016 09:13:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-13-may-2016/Hollande in Central African Republic as peace mission marred by sex abuse scandal Friday’s visit to Bangui is Hollande’s third - his last trip, in 2014, came shortly after the French military force, Sangaris, had been deployed in response to the country’s civil war.https://www.salo.org.za/the-central-african-republic-car-new-political-landscape-a-turning-point-in-the-country-political-development-by-simon-p-alain-handy/Mon, 09 May 2016 15:06:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/the-central-african-republic-car-new-political-landscape-a-turning-point-in-the-country-political-development-by-simon-p-alain-handy/Simon Handy, Former Special Advisor to the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General in CAR Simon P. Alain Handy spoke last month at a SALO meeting on the Recent Elections in Central African Republic and Prospects for the Future. Mr Handy is a Harvard Kennedy School of Government (HKS) Senior Executive Fellow (2011).https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-29-april-2016/Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:31:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-29-april-2016/In Central African Republic, UN Security Council Extends MINUSCA Peacekeeping Force Mandate The United Nations Security Council decided Tuesday to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping force in Central African Republic after concluding that the war-torn country remains a threat to international peace and security.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-22-april-2016/Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:51:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-22-april-2016/Pope meets president of Central African Republic at Vatican Pope Francis has met the President of the Central African Republic (CAR), Faustin Archange Touadéra, at the Vatican. During the meeting, which took place on Monday, the Pontiff recalled the warm welcome he received during his visit to CAR in November.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-15-april-2016/Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:16:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-15-april-2016/UN Accused of Withholding Scores of Sex Abuse The United Nations is withholding more than 40 new cases of sexual violence by peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) in direct contravention of its promise to disclose all information to the public, an NGO has said.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-8-april-2016/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:40:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-8-april-2016/UN troops tried in DR Congo Three UN peacekeepers accused of sexual abuse in Central African Republic (CAR) have gone on trial in Democratic Republic of Congo. Two of the Congolese troops denied charges of raping minors, while a third denied a charge of attempted rape, the prosecutor said.https://www.salo.org.za/sexual-abuse-by-french-soldiers-and-un-peacekeepers-in-central-african-republic-ask-your-questions-live/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:16:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sexual-abuse-by-french-soldiers-and-un-peacekeepers-in-central-african-republic-ask-your-questions-live/According to the Code Blue campaign, at least 98 girls in Central African Republic reported they were sexually abused by French soldiers and UN peacekeepers, and three girls told U.N. staff they were tied up, undressed, and forced to have sex with a dog by a French military commander in 2014.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-1-april-2016/Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:42:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-1-april-2016/Central African Republic votes in second round Voters in the Central African Republic went to the polls on Thursday for the second round of the country’s parliamentary election, a day after the new president was sworn in. At his inauguration on Wednesday, President Faustin-Archange Touadera vowed to “preserve peace” after three years of turmoil and violence between Christians and Muslims that has killed thousands since 2013.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-18-march-2016/Fri, 18 Mar 2016 08:29:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-18-march-2016/Central African Republic’s Biggest Challenge On March 30, president-elect Faustin-Archange Touadera will take office in the Central African Republic. His task, to quell the brutal sectarian violence that has torn his country apart, got even harder in recent weeks. Renewed violence in and around Bambari, in the centre of the country, has resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-11-march-2016-2/Fri, 11 Mar 2016 11:53:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-11-march-2016-2/First Violence Since Election Kills 12 At least 12 people have been killed in villages in Central African Republic (CAR) in the first outbreak of violence since before the conflict-torn country elected a new president. CAR held largely peaceful elections in December 2015 after several years of sectarian violence.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-4-march-2016/Fri, 04 Mar 2016 07:42:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-4-march-2016/Kidnappings by Kony’s LRA spike in Central African Republic More than 200 people have been kidnapped in eastern Central African Republic this year, already nearly double last year’s level, in a wave of abductions blamed on the Lord’s Resistance Army, an organization tracking the rebel group said Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/media-statement-car-elections/Thu, 03 Mar 2016 08:58:42 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/media-statement-car-elections/Media Statement - CAR Electionshttps://www.salo.org.za/car-12-february-2016/Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:16:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-12-february-2016/Central African Republic to Go Ahead With Elections Sunday Central African Republic’s long awaited presidential runoff vote will go forward Sunday alongside a second attempt at credible legislative elections, election authorities said as the two top candidates campaigned outside the capital Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/car-2-feb-2016/Tue, 02 Feb 2016 11:57:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-2-feb-2016/France says to wind down Central African Republic force by year-end France aims to scale back its military presence in Central African Republic by the end of the year, its defence minister said in a French media interview, as Paris continues to count on forthcoming elections to ease tension in the turbulent African country.https://www.salo.org.za/car-10-november-2015/Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:41:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-10-november-2015/Date set for Central African Republic polls The strife-torn Central African Republic is to hold presidential and legislative elections on December 27, the National Elections Authority announced on national radio on Monday. The vote will be preceded by a referendum on December 13 on a proposed new constitution that would limit future presidents to two five-year terms in office.https://www.salo.org.za/car-20-october-2015/Tue, 20 Oct 2015 10:59:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-20-october-2015/Central African Republic: New Spate of Senseless Deaths Five days of sectarian violence that gripped Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, between September 25 and October 1, 2015, led to at least 31 targeted killings of civilians. Based on interviews in Bangui, conducted between October 7 and 13 with witnesses, Human Rights Watch found that at least 31 civilians, possibly many more, were shot at point-blank range or stabbed to death, or their throats were slit.https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-october-2015/Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:28:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-october-2015/Clashes as UN peacekeepers halt rebel advance on CAR capital UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic clashed with rebels who were attempting to march on the capital, a military source said today, adding that the offensive ended with the militants taking flight.https://www.salo.org.za/car-30-september-2015/Wed, 30 Sep 2015 07:59:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-30-september-2015/Central African Republic: Aid Groups Seek Better Access to Strife-Torn Capital Aid officials pleaded Wednesday for more access to Bangui, the Central African Republic’s treacherous capital, saying that clashes between rival Christian and Muslim militias made it too dangerous to help the wounded and recover bodies.https://www.salo.org.za/building-an-even-more-secure-central-african-republic-and-the-plague-of-foreign-intervention-by-simon-p-alain-handy/Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:15:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/building-an-even-more-secure-central-african-republic-and-the-plague-of-foreign-intervention-by-simon-p-alain-handy/Simon P Alain Handy, Former Special Advisor to the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General in CAR Simon P. Alain Handy spoke recently at a SALO workshop on the 2nd of September 2015 entitled: “Consensus Building Dialogue: Central African Republic, Sudan/South Sudan”.https://www.salo.org.za/car-27-october-2015/Sun, 27 Sep 2015 09:41:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-27-october-2015/Rebel negotiators abducted in Central African Republic capital Three senior members of a Central African Republic rebel group were abducted by unknown assailants in the capital Bangui on Monday after participating in peace talks convened by interim President Catherine Samba-Panza’s government.https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-sept-2015/Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:23:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-sept-2015/IMF approves 7.7 million pounds in aid for Central African Republic The International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board has approved about US$11.8 million (7.7 million pounds) in financial assistance for Central African Republic, the IMF said on Tuesday. The assistance, under the IMF’s Rapid Credit Facility, is to help Central African Republic meet urgent balance of payments needs and to support its emergency economic recovery program, the IMF said in a statement.https://www.salo.org.za/consensus-building-dialogue-central-african-republic-sudansouth-sudan-2-september-2015/Wed, 02 Sep 2015 21:07:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/consensus-building-dialogue-central-african-republic-sudansouth-sudan-2-september-2015/The workshop held in Pretoria on the 2nd of September 2015, discussed the political developments in Central African Republic (CAR), the conclusion of the transitional government, the forthcoming elections in that country and implications for the Sub-region of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).https://www.salo.org.za/car-1-september-2015/Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:36:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-1-september-2015/Central African Republic council adopts new constitution The transitional council in Central African Republic has adopted a constitution designed to form the base of a new government as the country attempts to turn a page on years of violence, government officials said on Monday.https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-august-2015-2/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:56:09 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-august-2015-2/UN SECURITY COUNCIL IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC DIAMOND TRADING COMPANY The United Nations Security Council Committee concerning the Central African Republic (CAR) has imposed sanctions against the CAR’s diamond trading company and its Belgian branch, along with three individuals who have been deemed by the Council to be linked to the ongoing conflict in the CAR.https://www.salo.org.za/car-19-august-2015/Wed, 19 Aug 2015 12:58:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-19-august-2015/UN mission vows full investigation into allegations of abuse by peacekeepers in Central African Republic The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) said today that it is determined to investigate fully all allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by its forces in the country and to hold to account perpetrators of such acts.https://www.salo.org.za/car-29-july-2015/Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:43:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-29-july-2015/UN rights official resigns over Central African Republic child sexual abuse Deputy high commissioner for human rights Flavia Pansieri had admitted not following up for months on allegations of child sexual abuse in CAR. The UN rights official who admitted not following up for months on allegations of child sexual abuse by French soldiers in Central African Republic has resigned.https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-august-2015/Sat, 25 Jul 2015 11:40:48 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-august-2015/UN SECURITY COUNCIL IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC DIAMOND TRADING COMPANY The United Nations Security Council Committee concerning the Central African Republic (CAR) has imposed sanctions against the CAR’s diamond trading company and its Belgian branch, along with three individuals who have been deemed by the Council to be linked to the ongoing conflict in the CAR.https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-july-2015/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:01:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-july-2015/Europe Funded Illegal Logging and War in Central African Republic A total of 3.4 million euros in total would have ended in the hands of Seleka fighters – responsible for torturing and murdering thousands of local residents. European countries have been indirectly contributing to massive human rights violations and heavy environmental damage in the Central African Republic, an investigative report released by Global Witness revealed on Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/car-2-july-2015/Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:27:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-2-july-2015/Central African Republic Begins Enrolment for Presidential Vote Central African Republic began enrolling voters for general elections in October even after rebel groups threatened to block the process. Interim President Catherine Samba-Panza urged citizens to register as she spoke during the launching ceremony in the capital, Bangui, on Monday.https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-june-2015/Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:11:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-june-2015/Central African Republic says to hold elections on Oct. 18 Central African Republic will hold presidential and parliamentary elections, seen as critical to drawing a line under a two-year inter-religious conflict, on Oct. 18, a spokesman for the interim government said on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-june-2015/Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:57:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-june-2015/Diamonds Provide Ample Funding to Warlords in CAR Even though the Central African Republic (CAR) has been suspended from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme since May 2013, rough diamonds are the largest source of export revenue for the country, according to the Enough Project, which valued the diamond trade at $39 million in 2014 and already $12.https://www.salo.org.za/car-11-june-2015/Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:24:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-11-june-2015/Central Africa’s diamonds come at high price in blood and sweat Barefoot, with sweat pouring down their naked chests, 50 men slave in the depths of the Central African forest digging for diamonds in a sandy pit half the size of a football pitch.https://www.salo.org.za/car-3-june-2015/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:08:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-3-june-2015/Probes of child abuse in Central African Republic should intensify: U.N. rights chief The United Nations human rights chief on Saturday urged several countries to intensify their investigations of alleged sexual abuse of young children in the Central African Republic by French and African soldiers posted in the conflict-torn nation.https://www.salo.org.za/car-26-may-2015/Tue, 26 May 2015 12:10:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-26-may-2015/‘Wall’ of religious hatred divides Central African town The outbreak of violence that plunged the Central African Republic into chaos in 2013 has left a legacy of suspicion, fear and hatred that still plagues places like the southern mining town of Boda.https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-april-2015/Mon, 13 Apr 2015 09:57:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-april-2015/Central African Republic: Central Africa Republic Groups Sign Ceasefire Pact in Nairobi Warring groups in the Central Africa Republic on Wednesday signed a peace agreement to stop hostilities and open a new chapter of political stability in their country. President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto witnessed the signing of two agreements between Anti-Balaka led by Joachim Kokate and Ex-Seleka led by former president Michel Djotodia.https://www.salo.org.za/car-1-april-2015/Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:18:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-1-april-2015/Central African Republic: Security Council boosts UN mission presence as tensions continue “The Security Council has agreed to boost the United Nations peacekeeping presence in the Central African Republic (CAR) amid the country’s continuing instability and simmering sectarian tensions.” United Nations Newshttps://www.salo.org.za/car-6-march-2015/Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:27:25 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-6-march-2015/France begins troop drawdown in Central African Republic France announced on Thursday it was reducing its troop numbers in the Central African Republic as it gradually hands over to an 8 500-strong UN peacekeeping force brought in to contain a deadly sectarian conflict.https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-jan-2015/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:12:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-jan-2015/Central African Republic minister kidnapped, another targeted Central African Republic’s minister for youth and sport was kidnapped on Sunday by gunmen in the capital, Bangui, and a second minister narrowly escaped capture in a town to the north, officials said. The seizure of Armel Ningatoloum Sayo follows the brief kidnapping earlier this week of a U.https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-jan-2015/Fri, 16 Jan 2015 19:58:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-jan-2015/Hollande says aircraft carrier could support Iraq operations Hollande reaffirmed that France would reduce the number of troops deployed in the Central African Republic, where it has handed control of peacekeeping operations to United Nations missions. France had deployed 2,000 troops to curb Christian-Muslim violence in the country.https://www.salo.org.za/car-10-jan-2015/Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:10:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-10-jan-2015/U.S. Hands Over Top LRA Commander to Uganda Army The UPDF has said it has positively identified the man who surrendered to Seleka rebels as Maj Gen Dominic Ongwen, one of the notorious commanders of the LRA. Major Gen Dominic Ongwen was operating in the CAR.https://www.salo.org.za/car-5-december-2014/Fri, 05 Dec 2014 13:04:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-5-december-2014/Ex-rebels in Central African Republic attack officials trying to re-exert control in north Fighters from a disbanded Muslim rebel group in Central African Republic are attacking government officials trying to re-exert control over the country’s north. The Seleka rebels toppled Central African Republic’s president last year and installed their own leader.https://www.salo.org.za/car-29-november-2014/Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:43:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-29-november-2014/Polish Catholic Missionary Kidnapped in Central African Republic Now Free A Cameroonian army operation has freed 16 hostages, including a Polish Catholic priest, who were abducted by rebels from Central African Republic last month,Cameroon’s government said on Wednesday. Mateusz Dziedzic, a priest who has been a missionary since 2009, was abducted by eight armed men on the night of Oct.https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-november-2014/Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:50:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-november-2014/Defense Lawyers Ask ICC Judges to Acquit Bemba Defense lawyers have implored judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to acquit Jean-Pierre Bemba, stating that the prosecution failed to prove its allegations against the former Congolese opposition leader. In closing oral remarks at the court in The Hague, lead defense lawyer Peter Haynes said the prosecution’s evidence was “selective, narrow,” and “unfair” and added that if Mr.https://www.salo.org.za/car-31-oct-2014/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:18:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-31-oct-2014/Bemba’s Lawyer, Aides Released From ICC Detention Jean Pierre Bemba’s former lead defense lawyer and two associates were released from International Criminal Court (ICC) detention. The trio, along with another former lawyer to the Congolese opposition leader, had been held in The Hague for nearly a year on accusations of bribing witnesses and forging evidence.https://www.salo.org.za/car-26-september-2014/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:11:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-26-september-2014/Leader of Central African Republic calls for support for elections planned for 2015 The international community has been urged by the interim president of the Central African Republic (CAR) to provide technical and financial support for elections planned for February 2015.https://www.salo.org.za/car-14-august-2014/Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:29:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-14-august-2014/Central African Republic’s Prime Minister and Cabinet Resign The president of the Central African Republic has demanded the departure of the country’s prime minister and 20 members of his staff. President Catherine Samba-Panza said Prime Minister Andre Nzapayeke and his entire cabinet have resigned, Reuters reported Tuesday.https://www.salo.org.za/womens-day-policy-dialogue-thursday-7th-august-2014/Thu, 07 Aug 2014 20:48:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/womens-day-policy-dialogue-thursday-7th-august-2014/“Women and Children in Conflict Situations: Gaza, Sudan/South Sudan and the Central African Republic” Date: Thursday 7 August 2014 Venue: Burgers Park Hotel, 424 Lilian Ngoyi St (Van der Walt Street), Pretoria Ms Venitia Govender - South Africa Office, Crisis Action; a founding member of SALO; and a South African activist From left to right: Ms Zeenat Adam – International Relations Strategist; former Director: Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, DIRCO; Ms Pregs Govender – Deputy Chair: South African Human Rights Commission; former ANC MP and Chair of Parliament’s Committee on Woman (‘96 - 02); SALO reference group member; Ms Litlhare Rabele – Programme Coordinator: Peace, Security and Gender, HURISA Ambassador Sikose Mji – Chief Director: Central Africa, Department of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Carmen Smith – ANC International Relations, South South Cooperationhttps://www.salo.org.za/car-31-july-2014/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:10:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-31-july-2014/Thousands of CAR children are starving UN predicts more than 100,000 children will suffer from malnutrition this year despite end of sectarian fighting. Aid workers in the Central African Republic have warned that thousands of the country’s children are starving. After two years of war between the majority-Muslim Seleka and Christian armed groups, many are left in a country so ravaged, there is not enough food to survive.https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-july-2014/Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:05:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-july-2014/‘Many’ killed in attack on Central African Republic church compound Rebel fighters and armed Muslim civilians have killed “many” PEOPLE in an attack on a church compound in the Central African Republic where thousands of civilians had taken refuge, Catholic Church officials said.https://www.salo.org.za/car-11-july-2014/Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:27:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-11-july-2014/UN in Central African Republic condemns attack on civilians sheltering in church In what it termed a “brutal” attack, the United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic (CAR) today condemned the killing of dozens of displaced people at the site of Saint Joseph Cathedral and the Bishop’s residence in Bambari.https://www.salo.org.za/car-4-july-2014/Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:06:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-4-july-2014/US increases aid to Central African Republic amid new surge of violence The US has announced it is to increase its humanitarian aid to the Central African Republic (CAR) by $51m (£30m) this year, bringing the total funding to $118m (£69m).https://www.salo.org.za/car-30-june-2014/Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:28:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-30-june-2014/Central African Republic: Thousands Flee Attacks in C.A.R The U.N. refugee agency reports thousands of people have fled this week from deadly attacks by various groups of armed men in the Central African Republic town of Bambari. Tensions have been at a boiling point in Bambari since May, when widespread fighting displaced more than 13,000 people.https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-june-2014/Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:30:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-june-2014/Central African Republic President seeks ICC probe Central African Republic’s President Catherine Samba-Panza has sent a request to the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into crimes committed during inter-communal violence raging here since mid-2012, state radio said. Mostly Muslim rebel group Seleka stands accused of committing abuses against the Christian majority of the poor, former French colony as part of a bid that began two years ago to overthrow the rule of President Francois Bozize.https://www.salo.org.za/car-6-june-2014/Fri, 06 Jun 2014 10:10:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-6-june-2014/Central African Republic bans phone text messages The authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR) have banned the use of mobile phone text messages. The move is aimed at helping to restore security after more than a year of deadly ethnic and religious violence.https://www.salo.org.za/car-30-may-2014/Fri, 30 May 2014 11:19:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-30-may-2014/Central African Republic: Ban deplores recent, urges end to ‘cycle of violence’ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned recent attacks in the Central African Republic (CAR) and encouraged the country’s Transitional Authority to do everything within its means to prevent further violence and to hold the perpetrators to account.https://www.salo.org.za/the-kp-and-the-challenge-of-weak-states-focus-on-car/Sun, 01 Dec 2013 17:43:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/the-kp-and-the-challenge-of-weak-states-focus-on-car/Paper presented by Dr Showers Mawowa – SALO Senior Researcher at the SALO Dialogue entitled**: The Kimberley Process (KP) and African Conflicts- Special Focus on CAR** (12 November 2013) To download click on the link below: THE KP AND THE CHALLENGE OF WEAK STATES: FOCUS ON CARhttps://www.salo.org.za/a-workshop-on-the-role-of-the-kimberley-process/Tue, 12 Nov 2013 11:08:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/a-workshop-on-the-role-of-the-kimberley-process/From the 19th to the 22nd of November 2013, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS or KP), a tripartite global governance initiative bringing together governments, the diamond industry and civil society to curb the trade of conflict diamonds will be holding its 10th plenary meeting in Johannesburg.https://www.salo.org.za/salo-policy-dialogue-reports-on-the-central-african-republic/Tue, 12 Nov 2013 10:18:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/salo-policy-dialogue-reports-on-the-central-african-republic/SALO’s Building International, Regional and National Consensus policy dialogue sessions bring together national, regional and international stakeholders, including civil society, policymakers and diplomats, to encourage greater North/ South policy dialogue and to discuss ways they can engage moving forward on issues of importance in Southern Africa in particular.