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header1Overview

The Central African Republic suffers from pervasive insecurity in much of the country. Government forces have disbanded most rebel groups, but militias continue to operate in the country’s hinterland, particularly around mining sites. The opposition is increasingly repressed in the capital, while violent attacks against civilians, including sexual violence, are an acute risk in rural areas. Independent journalists enjoy little support, and researchers and aid workers operate at great personal risk. Russian state-backed mercenary groups maintain personnel in the country and have supported government forces; their members have been accused of serious rights abuses.

header2Key Developments in 2024

• In August, the National Elections Authority (ANE) announced that local elections, which after repeated delays had been scheduled for October, were postponed again until April 2025. Media reports said the delay was due to a lack of funds for the polls’ organization. Most opposition parties said that they will boycott the elections, demanding reform of the ANE and annulment of the 2023 constitution. The new charter extended the presidential term from five to seven years and eliminated term limits, paving the way for President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to seek a third term.
• Anti-US demonstrations took place in front of the US Embassy and the offices of US-based nongovernmental organizations in Bangui. Separately, in April, a protest was organized by civil society to denounce the high cost of living. However, few people attended, and one participant told media that police had been ordered to prevent it.
• In October, the National Assembly considered a draft law on “foreign agents” that aimed to tighten state control over organizations receiving foreign funding, and was inspired by the restrictive 2012 Russian “foreign agents” law. The proposal prompted intense debate, and the National Assembly ultimately sent the text back to the government to reexamine. Forty-four civil society groups filed a formal petition against the draft law calling for its full withdrawal.
• In May, President Touadéra issued a decree dissolving the Truth, Justice, Reparation, and Reconciliation Commission (CVJRR), which had been created in 2020 and had not yet begun its work. Separately, in April, the country’s Special Criminal Court (CPS) issued an arrest warrant for former President François Bozizé for crimes against humanity committed between February 2009 and March 2013 by his presidential guard and internal security services in the town of Bossembélé.
• In March, Crépin Mboli-Goumba, an opposition leader and former presidential candidate, was arrested at the Bangui airport; he was detained for several hours and his telephone, computer, and passport were seized. Journalists were unable to determine the reason for his arrest. The development came days after he had denounced several judges for alleged corruption, prompting a defamation complaint from those targeted. Weeks later, Mboli-Goumba was handed a one-year suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay 80 million CFA francs (about $136,000) in damages to the magistrates.

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For additional background information, see last year’sfull report.

PRPolitical Rights

CLCivil Liberties