Central African Republic: The way of the warlord | Reporters Plus • FRANCE 24 English

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Published 2018-07-13
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In the war-torn Central African Republic, former rebels who mounted a coup in 2013 are now dreaming of independence. FRANCE 24’s reporters James André and Anthony Fouchard went to meet one of the most powerful armed groups in the country, in the capital of their parallel state in the north.
Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the Central African Republic has never truly experienced peace. In March 2013, a coalition of rebel groups called the Seleka seized power in country’s fifth coup d'état. Leaders on all sides exploited religious tensions for political ends and the country descended into violence. The Seleka, led by Michel Djotodia, was forced to give up power after nine months, completely unable to restore security. Under UN auspices, France deployed more than 2,000 soldiers to restore a fragile peace and avoid what it called a “genocide".
But President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who was elected in March 2016, has still not managed to bring calm to a country devastated by civil war. On the contrary: violence actually resumed in the capital Bangui in April 2018.
►► On France24.com: Central African Republic's president Touadéra slams 'enemies of the peace'
Since being routed, the rebels have been divided and fragmented, but have maintained their ability to cause trouble. The Popular Front for the Renaissance of the Central African Republic (known by its French acronym FPRC) is one of the most powerful armed groups. Abdoulaye Hissène, the FPRC’s military leader, is based in the northeastern town of Ndélé, but is massing his troops at the gates of Bangui.
Towards a partition of the country?
Although the prospect of a fresh coup seems unlikely, everyone is wondering about a possible partition of the country. The rebels prefer to talk about federalism and autonomy. Although they control all the main roads, provide security and even levy taxes, they do not want to create the impression of cutting ties with the central government, which does not consider the north a priority. The FPRC now wants to improve its image, severely tarnished after the violence of 2013.
The rebels are literally sitting on a gold and diamond mine, the northeast being rich in natural resources. This is attracting Russian private security companies, officially invited by the central government to train army recruits. The climate is tense, but in the meantime, Abdoulaye Hissène knows very well that the weak army cannot dislodge him.
"My men are in Bangui, they are just waiting for the political green light," he says. Whether he’s bluffing or not, guns speak louder than words and appear to be the main negotiating method in this region.
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All Comments (21)
  • @oscardelta1257
    This entire documentary shows one thing that has been true since the beginning of time, that those who possess the weapons are the ones that have power over those that don't. It doesn't matter where on this planet you are the same is true...
  • 27:00 So the guy that’s supposed to be manning that mortar thinks it has a range of 1000 km? 😳 Speechles
  • Why is the UN so impotent? It has all the grandeur, budgets, buildings, staff and member states as financiers, yet it doesn't seem able to make the smallest of difference. Why?
  • The FPRC seem like a well organised and disciplined group. The way they have maintained order and to a large extent kept the peace in the areas they have occupied needs to be commended.
  • @John-mf6ky
    Rare Earth minerals, an Islamic population, and a former French colony. That's just asking for trouble. I mean no disrespect by any means.
  • @Terence__
    religion won't fix this country, common sense and compassion will
  • The sultan is awesome. Seems to be a good mediator. Handled the question really well. Sadly the situation seems to be worsening, just found this documentary because of that :/
  • @markw999
    Can you really be a "rebel" in your own country when the people from the U.N. aren't even from the same continent? We need to quit "helping" these people. Africans need to find African answers to African problems. That solution will be bloody as hell in the short term, but save bloodshed long term.
  • @Noble713
    This is excellent reporting, thanks! @26:31 That's a Chinese QLZ-87 grenade launcher on his shoulder. Chinese grenade launchers are some of my favorite weapons. It would be interesting to see reporting about the flow of Chinese arms into these conflict zones.
  • @FCP32
    We all bleed the same We all breathe the same air No man is greater than the next man
  • @stevejohn8462
    This documentary will be a delight to watch for the future generations of the people of CAR. Especially if it prospers and manages to get out of this mess.
  • @johnnyboync1
    the little boy with the barbie has the "you got to be shittin' me" look on his face!
  • I love this, wish we had these groups throughout AFRICA. Power to the them..# ADOS # B1
  • Wow did that translator say the mortar round could go 1000 km? Damn that’s a long way haha