Central African Republic general election, 2016

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This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
the Central African Republic

Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in the Central African Republic in 2016 or later after being postponed from 18 October 2015 due to violence and instability.[1]

Background[edit]

Despite the 25 August 2012 signing of a peace agreement between the government and the CPJP that promised final closure of the Bush War,[2] political violence continued in the eastern and central parts of the country. Then, on 10 December 2012, fighters from the Séléka rebel coalition seized the towns of N'Délé, Sam Ouandja and Ouadda. Following further battlefield successes through the month, the government called for support from former coloniser France and the United States. Though the offer was spurned, other central African states and South Africa sent in troops to secure the country and its capital, Bangui, from Séléka.

On 11 January 2013, a ceasefire agreement was signed in Libreville, Gabon between the government, Séléka and the political opposition. The agreement led to a dropping of the demand for President François Bozizé's resignation, but required that he appoint a new prime minister from the opposition.[3] The National Assembly of the Central African Republic was also dissolved within a week, with a year-long coalition government formed in its place and a new election called for within 12 months. The interim government would implement judicial reforms, amalgamate the rebel troops with government soldiers to establish a new national military, and introduce other social and economic reforms.[4] The government was also required to free all political prisoners imprisoned during the conflict and that foreign troops must return to their countries of origin. Séléka was not required to give up the cities they had taken or were occupying in order to ensure that the government would not renege on the agreement.[3] Bozizé, who would remain President until 2016 when a presidential election would take place, said, "...it's a victory for peace because from now on Central Africans in conflict zones will be finally freed from their suffering."[5]

Kwa Na Kwa, the former ruling party loyal to Bozizé, announced on 10 August 2015 that Bozizé would return to the country and stand as a candidate in the October 2015 presidential election.[6] KNK Secretary-General Bertin Bea complained that the transitional authorities were trying to obstruct his bid, however. A few days later, Bea was arrested, purportedly for "inciting disorder" two months earlier.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "In Focus: Central African Republic will 'not hold democratic election any time soon' as violence continues" International Business Times, 3 October 2015.
  2. ^ "Le CPJP, dernier groupe rebelle actif en Centrafrique, devient un parti politique", RFI, 26 August 2015 (French).
  3. ^ a b Sayare, Scott (11 January 2013). "Rebel Coalition in Central African Republic Agrees to a Short Cease-Fire". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 January 2013. 
  4. ^ "Central African Republic ceasefire signed". BBC. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013. 
  5. ^ "C. African Republic rebels to form unity government with president, opposition after talks". The Washington Post. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013. 
  6. ^ "Exiled Central African leader Bozize to stand at election", Reuters, 10 August 2015.
  7. ^ "Head of ousted Central African leader's party arrested", Agence France-Presse, 15 August 2015.