Posts

, ,

Fragility and Rule of Law in CAR

Fragility and Rule of Law in CARThe Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country in sub-Saharan Africa and has a population of 6.1 million, ranking among the lowest on the human capital and development indices. Poverty in CAR is widespread, with nearly 70% of its population living in extreme poverty. Its history of conflict and political displacement has undermined economic growth for several reasons, such as reduced business investments. The country suffers from fragility. Its weak government has limited legitimacy and struggles to provide basic public services, including the rule of law. Fragility and the rule of law in CAR need addressing.

Politics, Violence and Economy

CAR has a long history of instability, state disintegration and political violence. It straddles the Sahel region, with a majority Muslim population, while savanna communities are mainly Christian. The conflict has regularly broken out between the Muslim ex-Seleka rebels and the Christian anti-balaka rebels. In 2013, Seleka rebels stormed the capital, Bangui and the country descended into a brutal civil war that continues in some parts of the country.

CAR suffers acutely from gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls, recording 23.644 cases of GBV in 2022. Inadequate food and water resources, poor health care and weak housing infrastructure exacerbate tensions within households. These challenges, along with socio-cultural norms that are unfavorable to women, have led to sub-optimal survival strategies.

An unstable economy also influences fragility in CAR. Its government has failed to provide basic public goods, including water, food and health care. Poor education and job insecurity have stunted its growth. CAR has a rich endowment of natural resources but has not benefited due to mismanagement. According to the World Bank, the country has also suffered from flooding, fuel shortages and declining international timber trading. These challenges risk an already fragile economy.

Solutions

MINUSCA is a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation set up by the Security Council in 2014. Its mission is to assist CAR in building national stability. It prioritizes the country’s security, rule of law, human rights and political crisis. MINUSCA provides military and police services from regions such as Rwanda to handle disarmament, demobilization and reintegration in CAR.

Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) focuses on supporting victims of GBV in CAR. Women and girls gather in a welcoming home in Bangassou where they are encouraged to participate in activities such as knitting and patternmaking, providing them with psychosocial support.

Pelvia, an 18-year-old girl spoke about the positive effect COOPI has had on her life. She spoke about the skills she has learned and how they have provided her with an income to buy necessities that she would otherwise be unable to afford. Pelvia is also glad for the company and support of the other women and girls who have shared similar traumatic experiences, UNOCHA reports.

Economic Growth

CAR receives most of its financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In June 2024, the IMF approved an extended $25 million disbursement to continue the push for economic growth in CAR. The aid has been distributed to assist the economy and sustain priority spending on basic public services. The IMF forecasts that CAR’s economy will grow by 1.4% in 2024.

Looking Ahead

Fragility and rule of law in CAR are improving. The country has a long road to stability but there are positive forecasts for its future. 

The Economist Intelligence reports that the country’s economic activity will continue to rise over the next few years, with help from the IMF’s funded program. Whilst many areas of CAR are still overrun by rebel groups, the government, with assistance from Russian and Rwandan forces, has control over several major cities, including the capital. This allows for a more stabilized political structure and open rule of law in these areas.

– Millie Trussler

Millie is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Food Security in the CAR

Food security in the CARProgress and growth have long been fundamental aspirations for humanity. However, for many residents of the Central African Republic (CAR), this goal has been obstructed by a critical challenge: food insecurity. In 2023, Concern USA ranked the CAR as the “hungriest country in the world.” Despite a rocky decade of development, recent government initiatives offer hope for a future where hunger is significantly reduced and a more stable, prosperous nation is achievable.

The Background and State of the CAR

In March 2013, an alliance of rebel groups known as “Seleka” usurped power in a lawless fashion of violence, destruction and brutality. The coup had a massive impact on the CAR economy, with one primary example being its exports. The country heavily depends on diamonds and wood exports for economic growth, but due to the continuous conflict, diamond and wood production drastically declined. Many business opportunities for the nation ceased to expand as the continued presence of rebel groups and conflict led to the mass exodus of investors and foreign entrepreneurs. 

The country was left in a general state of economic decline, political instability and a humanitarian crisis, with the issue of hunger being a prime example. Food security in the CAR is at a critical level, with estimates indicating that approximately 2.4 million people suffer from food insecurity and nearly half of the population cannot meet their minimum daily food needs. The ongoing violence in the country has exacerbated malnutrition rates, particularly among displaced individuals. This food insecurity leads to daily hunger and raises serious health concerns. Malnourished citizens are experiencing higher rates of diseases such as measles, malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea.

Initiatives and Progress

In response to the urgent needs of the CAR’s population, several initiatives have emerged to assist, with the Agriculture Recovery and Agribusiness Development Support Project (ARADSP) being a notable example. ARADSP focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity among small-scale farmers throughout the region, thereby bolstering the capacity of small and medium-sized farming businesses and enterprises. As a result, this boost in agricultural productivity delivers immediate and effective responses to food emergencies nationwide. Hundreds of thousands benefit from these initiatives, including more than 100,000 women and more than 15,000 young people.

Another crucial initiative is the IDA-financed Emergency Food Security Response Project (PRUCAC). This project aims to boost food production and enhance the food security of targeted smallholder farmers and vulnerable households in affected areas. More than 300,000 smallholder farmers have received seeds, tools and training in agricultural and post-harvesting techniques to improve crop production and better prepare for climate and conflict-related risks. As of October 2023, local food production has surged by 250%, increasing from 28,000 tons to 73,000 tons within a year.

The Future of the Central African Republic

Addressing the hunger needs of all citizens of the CAR will be a long-term challenge, given the severe impacts of prolonged conflict in the past decades. From the displacement of families to ongoing political instability affecting various parts of the nation, the Central African population remains in search of a more stable and abundant society.

However, with growing initiatives from both governmental and global levels, the future of the Central African population holds promise. Efforts by projects such as ARADSP and PRUCAC, which fund systems to support the country’s economic and food security needs, suggest that significant progress is within reach. These initiatives provide a foundation for substantial improvement and hope for a prosperous future that includes food security in the CAR.

– Oliver Martin

Oliver is based in Honolulu, HI, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

USAID in the Central African Republic

USAID in the Central African RepublicThe Central African Republic is one of the world’s poorest countries, despite its abundant valuable resources such as diamonds, gold, oil and uranium. The government has faced instability since its inception in 1960 when the country became an independent country. It has since seen multiple military coups which have become especially disruptive since 2013 and more than 60% of the country lives in poverty. This amount of poverty combined with weak governance has led to multiple humanitarian issues, such as high maternal mortality rates and low life expectancy. Many people and organizations within the country and around the world work to aid struggling or displaced people in the Central African Republic. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has programs committed to focusing on humanitarian aid and responding to crises in the Central African Republic but also invests in economic growth, trade and the environment.

Economic Growth and Trade

Currently, USAID programs in the Central African Republic are restoring an 85-mile stretch of road in the northwest region. The construction of this road creates jobs for locals and upon completion it connects two northern cities, opening their markets to each other. Unemployment in CAR stood at 6.34% in 2022. While little information is given on this project, USAID boasts community involvement and job creation as well as the potential for new trade, all of which can aid in reducing unemployment.

Environment

USAID programs in the Central African Republic also fund the Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) which aims to protect the world’s second-largest rainforest. Located in the Congo Basin, the rainforest is threatened by deforestation, biodiversity loss, environmental destruction and growing global demand for resources.

About 70% of the country’s population depends on agriculture and nearly half of its population is food insecure. It is also facing an increasingly common issue with cattle farmers who cannot find grazing land. They have to travel farther than they used to graze, often causing them to cross borders into the Central African Republic because of its abundant fields. This puts a heavy strain on CAR’s resources and causes possibly violent disputes.

USAID supports the region by building up local, regional and national organizations to mitigate natural disasters, improve management of natural resources and sustain biodiversity. It also enforces logging regulations, reforms natural resource policy, engages communities in resource management and shares the benefits of forest resources.

CARPE is the largest environmental program from USAID. Its mission is to create a Congo Basin with healthy ecosystems and dynamic local leadership that supports stability and prosperity in communities. USAID works with partners such as the World Wildlife Fund to fund conservation, development, and community projects and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the region.

Crises and Conflict

Although recognizing the importance of economic growth and the environment, USAID places most of its focus on humanitarian crises in the Central African Republic. Fighting between the national army and rebel forces permeates across the country, regularly affecting civilian safety. In 2022, the government tried to remove the president’s two-term limit from the constitution, which only fueled the fire. This has led to an increase in abductions and hostages from both sides.

Because of ongoing instability, violence and displacement within the country people are often left without necessities. USAID works to combat food shortages and delivers medical aid such as measles vaccines and malnutrition treatment, according to its website. In places with more extreme conflict, they also provide emergency relief supplies, food aid, health and nutrition supplies, protection, water, sanitation and hygiene supplies and coordinated humanitarian efforts.

Food and Water

As of March 2024, USAID works with different partners to provide food security, health and nutrition, logistics support, water, protection and shelter and settlement in the Central African Republic. UNICEF, for example, partners with USAID to provide access to safe water for nearly 100,000 people through the rehabilitation and repair of more than 90 boreholes, the implementation of emergency water supply systems, and the distribution of household water treatment kits.

The World Food Program (WFP) implements cash transfers, locally procured food, food vouchers, and some U.S.-sources crops and supplementary feeding programs for young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. These are just two of their many partners and programs which also include things such as humanitarian air transportation due to insufficient roads, latrines and hygiene kits, community safety awareness sessions, emergency case management, emergency shelter kits and more.

The Central African Republic is facing political and economic instability and a major climate crisis at the same time, leading to skyrocketing poverty and food insecurity rates. USAID programs in the Central African Republic are designed to target these issues and help remove people from violence, poverty and hunger.

– Anna Thibodeau

Anna is based in Omaha, NE, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr