Published in: GENERAL

Fears of disruptions ahead of crucial elections in Central African Republic

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Published on: June 14, 2023

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Anti-balaka fighters in the Damala district of Bangui pose, showing off their weapons and methods with one of their members acting as a victim. - Pictue courtesy — Anti-balaka fighters in the Damala district of Bangui pose, showing off their weapons and methods with one of their members acting as a victim. – Picture courtesy Slate

Central African Republic’s exiled former president Francois Bozize has been barred from running for election late this month. That could fuel worries of more trouble in the run-up to the 27 December vote.

The polls are expected to signal CAR’s return to normalcy after two years of sectarian violence that erupted between Christian and Muslim fighters after Bozize’s 2013 ouster. Already, one of the rebel figures who helped toppled Bozize, has threatened to disrupt the elections.

The interim government has branded that threat ‘an act of war and should be treated as such’. Nearly 11,000 UN peacekeepers are now deployed there.