Central African Republic
France’s waning influence in coup-hit Africa appears clear while few remember their former colonizer
The era of France’s arm-twisting interventionism in Africa may finally be over. France has sat by militarily despite moves by putschists to seize control of former French colonies in recent years.
ICC drops war crimes charges against former Central African Republic government minister
The International Criminal Court is dropping about 20 charges of murder, extermination, deportation, torture and persecution against a former government minister from the Central African Republic.
Central African Republic faces humanitarian crisis with 2.4 million people needing aid, UN says
A U.N. official says Central African Republic is facing a humanitarian crisis with 2.4 million people in need of assistance and the U.N.’s $534 million appeal only 36% funded.
Central African Republic validates vote for new constitution that increases the president’s control
The Central African Republic has voted in favor of adopting a new constitution. The country’s high court announced Monday that it had validated the results of a national referendum proposed by the ruling party.
Armed men in Central African Republic fatally shoot 13 and wound 2 in northern village
Local officials say that unidentified armed men killed 13 people and wounded two in a northern village in the mineral-rich but impoverished Central African Republic.
UN lifts last restriction on arms for Central African Republic government, but not for mercenaries
The U.N. Security Council has lifted a requirement that the Central African Republic get advance U.N. approval for arms purchases and transfers for its security forces.
Russian linked with ‘Putin’s chef’ injured in Africa attack
A Russian representative in Central African Republic, who is associated with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the notorious millionaire owner of the Wagner Group military contractor, has been badly wounded when a package exploded in his hands.
ICC prosecutor ends Georgia, Central African Republic probes
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced Friday that he is closing investigations in Georgia and the Central African Republic, the first time the prosecution office has wrapped up probes in the court’s 20-year history.
Unknown aircraft targets Wagner base in C. African Republic
Authorities in Central African Republic have opened an investigation after a low-flying fighter jet dropped explosives.
UN extends Central African Republic peacekeeping mission
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council extended the nearly 17,500-strong U.N. peacekeeping mission in the troubled Central African Republican for a year on Monday, with Russia, China and Gabon abstaining.
Defense: Evidence is weak in Central African Republic trial
A defense lawyer for an alleged Central African Republic rebel has told International Criminal Court judges that evidence that led to him being charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes is unreliable.
Intl court trial for alleged Central African Republic rebel
An alleged senior leader of a predominantly Muslim rebel group that ousted the president of Central African Republic in 2013 has pleaded not guilty at the International Criminal Court to seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
UN relaxes arms embargo on Central African Republic
The U.N. Security Council has voted to relax the arms embargo against the Central African Republic, a disappointment to its government, which sought a complete lifting of the ban on the sale or transfer of weapons and ammunition.
ICC unseals warrant for Central African Republic ex-minister
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant Thursday for a former government minister in Central African Republic for crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during sectarian hostilities in 2013.
Rights group: Russians tortured people in C.African Republic
Human Rights Watch has accused Russian mercenaries of executing, torturing and beating civilians in Central African Republic since 2019.
Central African Republic president authorizes cryptocurrency
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — Central African Republic has legally recognized the use of cryptocurrency after the president approved a law adopted by deputies last week that has also made bitcoin an official currency alongside the West African CFA franc in the African nation.
Central African Republic alleged rebel appears at ICC
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An alleged coordinator of a predominantly Christian rebel group in the Central African Republic appeared Tuesday at the International Criminal Court for the first time since he was arrested in Chad and turned over to the court to face charges of war crimes and crimes ag
Pope Francis plans to visit Congo and South Sudan in July
The Vatican says Pope Francis is planning to visit Congo and South Sudan in July. Francis is scheduled to visit Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, and the city of Goma on July 2-5.
US and France attack actions of Russian mercenaries in CAR
The United States and France are criticizing mercenaries in the Central African Republic from the Russian security company Wagner, accusing them of executing civilians, attacking U.N. peacekeepers and targeting predominantly Muslim communities.
4 UN security officers detained in Central African Republic
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Four U.N. security officers responsible for close protection of a senior official in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic have been detained, the United Nations said Tuesday.
US and Russia clash over use and impact of UN sanctions
The United States and its allies clashed with Russia and China in the U.N. Security Council over the usefulness and impact of U.N. sanctions, currently imposed on countries from North Korea to Yemen and Congo as well the al-Qaida and Islamic State extremist groups and their affiliates and supporter
UN Staff Union: 24 peacekeepers, 1 civilian killed in 2021
The United Nations Staff Union says 24 U.N. peacekeepers and one civilian working for the United Nations were killed in deliberate attacks during 2021.
EU warns Mali, Sahel states over use of Russian mercenaries
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Wednesday warned countries of the north African Sahel against hiring Russian mercenaries, and underlined that it stands ready to impose sanctions on anyone interfering with the transition to civilian rule in Mali.
Portuguese UN troops suspected in African smuggling scheme
Police in Portugal are carrying out searches across the country following a tip-off that troops stationed with a United Nations force in Africa have smuggled diamonds, drugs and gold back into Europe.
Central African Republic guards wound 10 UN peacekeepers
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — Central African Republic’s presidential guard opened fire on United Nations peacekeepers in the capital, wounding 10 of them, the U.N. mission said Tuesday.
Central African Republic leader: Cease-fire aims for peace
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Central African Republic’s leader on Monday called his unilateral cease-fire announcement a new effort to restore peace to his crisis-wracked country.
Central African Republic leader offers cease-fire to rebels
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — President Faustin Archange Touadera declared a unilateral cease-fire Friday with the armed rebel groups that have threatened to overthrow him once already this year in Central African Republic, though it was not known whether militants would hold their fire.
ICC hearing opens for Central African Republic rebel
A key pre-trial hearing has opened for an alleged Central African Republic rebel leader, to establish whether evidence against him is strong enough to merit putting him on trial on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
UN diplomats: Russia is blocking sanctions experts in Africa
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia is holding up the appointment of independent experts to monitor implementation of sanctions on four African countries, saying the panels proposed by the U.N. secretary-general are not geographically balanced and some members are not impartial, U.N. diplomats said Wednesd
UN sends home Gabonese peacekeepers in CAR over sexual abuse
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday ordered the immediate repatriation of the entire U.N. peacekeeping contingent from Gabon serving in the Central African Republic following credible reports of sexual abuse by some of its 450 members and past allegations.
UN withdraws Gabon peacekeepers in Central African Republic
LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) — The United Nations is withdrawing 450 Gabonese peacekeepers from its mission in Central African Republic following allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, Gabon’s government said Wednesday.