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Peace and Democracy in the Central African Republic: Civil Society Perspectives

Date: Thursday, May 19, 2022 / Time: 10:00am - 11:15am EDT

Center: Africa Center

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In December 2020, the Central African Republic’s (CAR) fragile peace agreement came under threat from a new configuration of armed groups that emerged shortly before President Touadera’s contested re-election. This re-inflamed CAR’s nearly decade-long conflict, threatening major cities and towns in a country where 25 percent of the population is displaced. Although the Central African Armed Forces and their allies have been able to stabilize parts of the country, violence continues to impact civilians — particularly in the East — and there are indications that space for political dissent is closing.

On May 19, USIP and the National Endowment for Democracy held a conversation with civil society leaders on the prospects for peace and democracy in CAR. The discussion assessed recent peace and dialogue processes as well as offered recommendations for how the international community can support democracy in CAR — particularly in the lead up to local elections this September, the first in CAR in more than 30 years.

This event will be live streamed in both French and English. Take part in the conversation on Twitter with #CARPeaceandDemocracy.

English

French

Speakers

Elizabeth Murray, introductory remarks
Senior Program Officer, Africa, U.S. Institute of Peace

Kessy Martine Ekomo-Soignet 
Youth Activist and Founder, URU

Rhosyns Ngatondang Zalang 
President, Association Jeunesse en Marche pour le Developpement en RCA

Abdel Nour 
Vice President, Islamic Youth of CAR 

Hans de Marie Heungoup 
Senior Analyst, Central Africa, International Crisis Group 

Valéry Nadjibe, moderator 
Program Officer, Central Africa, National Endowment for Democracy 

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