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Creating a Stable Peace in the Central African Republic

What steps can the international community take to prevent the escalation of violence?

Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2018 / Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm 

Center: Middle East North Africa Center

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Despite holding the country’s first peaceful, democratic elections in 2015-2016, the Central African Republic continues to suffer from violent conflict. Tensions escalated back to crisis levels in the capital on April 8, following Operation Sukula, a United Nations peacekeeping operation to arrest armed elements in the capital’s Muslim neighborhood that reignited fears of persecution, prompting retaliatory violence and a call to action by armed factions. The situation remains tenuous as armed actors, the CAR government, and international organizations weigh their options and consider the ramifications for the larger peace process. The international community must address the root causes of conflict to bring about de-escalation and cohesion in order to prevent further violence.

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Photo: UN/MINUSCA - Hervé Serefio

Since gaining independence from France in 1960, CAR has suffered from chronic instability, and experienced several violent transitions of power. Efforts by the international community to halt the violence during previous crises have failed to provide a long-term, sustainable peace because they didn’t address the structural, educational and attitudinal gaps that prevent the state from responding to the needs of its citizens. With the increase in attacks over the past year, CAR has become one of the deadliest countries for aid workers in the world and attained a record 1.1 million displaced and refugees.

Please join the U.S. Institute of Peace and the United Nations Foundation for a discussion on the issues facing CAR, and how the International Community can work together to develop a strong infrastructure to support a lasting peace. Engage in the conversation on Twitter with #CPRF.

Since 1999, the Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum (CPRF) has provided a monthly platform in Washington for highlighting innovative and constructive methods of conflict resolution. CPRF’s goals are to (1) provide information from a wide variety of perspectives; (2) explore possible solutions to complex conflicts; and (3) provide a secure venue for stakeholders from various disciplines to engage in cross-sector and multi-track problem-solving. The CPRF is traditionally hosted at SAIS and organized by the Conflict Management Program in conjunction with Search for Common Ground and is co-sponsored by a consortium of organizations that specialize in conflict resolution and/or public policy formulation. This event is co-hosted by the United Nations Foundation.

Speakers

Chandrima Das, Opening Remarks
Director, Peacekeeping Policy, United Nations Foundation, Opening Remarks

Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Keynote Address      
Special Representative and Head of MINUSCA

Dr. Reyn Archer
Chief of Staff, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry

Neal Kringel
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO), U.S. Department of State

Rudy Massamba
Program Officer for Central Africa, National Endowment for Democracy

Susan Stigant
Director of Africa Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace 

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