The security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) is weak and constantly at risk of deteriorating further. Issues of trust and credibility between citizens and defense forces are rife and opinions of judiciary and legal security are unfavorable because of the persistence of impunity. Furthermore, long and porous borders with countries with conflicts of their own (Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan) negatively impact security in CAR.
At the most basic level, one million people in the north of CAR live in constant fear of fighting between security forces and numerous armed groups. Attacks by criminal gangs and ethnic discrimination are commonplace, driving tens of thousands into the bush. At last count, 197,000 people were estimated to be displaced (IDP) as a result of ongoing conflicts which show few signs of abating. Further complicating their situation, IDPs have limited or no access to the judiciary system, encouraging an environment where impunity for human rights and the rule of law are the norm.
Furthermore, the lack of control in the north has lead to a relatively free circulation of light and small-calibre arms. This, in combination with an absence of real economic opportunity has, to a large degree, encouraged banditry, strengthening the perception of a lack of enforcement. This gross disregard for rule of law has had dire consequences for women in particular: gender based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual violence, is increasingly becoming part of life for up to one quarter of the women in CAR.
Moreover, being so close to conflict in other countries has driven CAR to host 6700 refugees, including 3,044 Sudanese refugees from South Darfur. For a country that has trouble providing security to its own people, ensuring the rights and protections of these people is even more difficult.
These issues are driven, in part, from a serious funding gap. In 2007, it was calculated that the security forces were owed 31 months of salary arrears – leading to a serious decay in morale and readiness.
Central African government has recognized these issues and is taking steps to address them. Principle among these steps are major security sector reform: strengthening the capabilities of the defense and security forces; reforming, restructuring and reorganising the security sector; fighting small-arm proliferation; educating the security apparatus and rebuilding trust. The government is also working on an inclusive political dialogue in an attempt to bring the fighting in the north of the country to a close.
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