Am Dafok , also spelt Am Dafock , is a Sub-Prefecture and town in the Vakaga prefecture of Central African Republic (CAR). The town sits on the CAR side of the border with Sudan ; on the Sudanese side of the border lies Um Dafuq in the state of South Darfur .
121-590: According to the 2003 census, Am Dafok has a population of 2,915, however, as of 2023, the village is home to thousands of refugees fleeing from the Central African Republic Civil War and the Sudan conflict . In 1962, Am Dafok had a population of 338 people. Following the independence of South Sudan in 2011, the road that passes through Am Dafok became the only remaining CAR – Sudan border crossing. Vakaga Prefecture , where Am Dafok
242-845: A UN peacekeeping force from the UN Security Council , and on 31 May former president Bozizé was indicted for crimes against humanity and incitement of genocide. On the same day as the 5 December attacks, the UN Security Council authorized the transfer of MICOPAX to the African Union –led peacekeeping mission, the International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA or AFISM-CAR), with troop numbers increasing from 2,000 to 6,000; it also authorized
363-523: A de facto partition of the country into Muslim and Christian areas as a result of the sectarian fighting, he also called the conflict an "urgent test" for the UN and the region's states. Amnesty International blamed the Anti-balaka militia of causing a "Muslim exodus of historic proportions." Samba-Panza suggested poverty and a failure of governance was the cause of the conflict. Some Muslims of
484-543: A Ugandan spokesperson saying, "the LRA no longer poses a threat to us as Uganda". At that time, his force was estimated to have shrunk to around 100 soldiers. In April 2022, DW News reported that a number of LRA members said Kony was hiding in the Darfur region of Sudan. From there, he was allegedly giving orders to his fighters. One former member said that the fighters were "tired and unmotivated", and leaving in favor of living
605-521: A decree on 6 April for the formation of a transitional council that would act as a transitional parliament. The council was tasked with electing an interim president to serve during an 18-month transitional period leading to new elections. The transitional council, composed of 105 members, met for the first time on 13 April 2013 and immediately elected Djotodia as interim president; there were no other candidates. A few days later, regional leaders publicly accepted Djotodia's transitional leadership, but, in
726-488: A farmer. He was either the youngest or second-youngest of six children in the family. His older sister, Gabriela Lakot, still lives in Odek. He enjoyed a good relationship with his siblings, but was quick to retaliate in a dispute, and when confronted, would often resort to physical violence. Kony never finished elementary school, dropping out at age 15. He was an altar boy until 1976. He married Selly and together they had
847-423: A government official. Several witnesses over 60 km (37 mi) away said they could hear detonations and heavy weapons fire for a number of hours. Later, both a rebel leader and a military source confirmed the military attack was repelled and the town remained under rebel control. At least one rebel fighter was killed and three were wounded in the clashes, and the military's casualties were unknown. Meanwhile,
968-561: A key member of the LRA and constituted one of Kony's senior aides in the organization. Kidnapped as a child, he became a soldier in the LRA, then rose through the organization's hierarchy. Ongwen surrendered himself to representatives of the CAR in January 2015, which was a major blow to Kony's group. Ugandan army spokesman Paddy Ankunda stated that the event "puts the LRA in the most vulnerable position" and that it "is only Kony left standing". Of
1089-536: A mandate to use force, as well as threatening sanctions against those responsible for the violence. The E.U. had pledged 500 troops to aid African and French troops already in the country. Specifically the resolution allowed for the use of " all necessary measures " to protect civilians. The first batch of 55 EUFOR troops arrived in Bangui , according to the French army, and carried out its first patrol on 9 April with
1210-459: A new legislative election be held within 12 months (with the possibility of postponement). In addition, the temporary coalition government had to implement judicial reforms, amalgamate the rebel troops with the Bozizé government's troops to establish a new national military, set up the new legislative elections, as well as introduce other social and economic reforms. Furthermore, Bozizé's government
1331-518: A new rebel group formed in June 2019 called "Partie du Rassemblement de la Nation Centrafricaine" (PRNC) to oppose the peace deal, claiming that the deal is a way of rebel leaders to gain money and posts from the government. In September 2019, fighting between two rebel groups that signed the February 2019 deal, FPRC and the mostly Kara " Movement of Central African Liberators for Justice " (MLCJ), which
SECTION 10
#17328010451521452-631: A normal life. Kony was previously provided with armed and logistical support from former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir . Kony was reportedly settled in a camp 10 miles from a village named Yemen in April 2024. In the same month, hearing the news of the surrender of 14 LRA members to the government forces, the Wagner Group attacked Kony's camp , prompting him and his 71 men to flee towards Sudan. • "Interview with Vincent Otti, LRA second in command" Archived 29 September 2007 at
1573-515: A peaceful election , the former prime minister Faustin-Archange Touadéra was elected president. In October 2016, France announced that it was ending its peacekeeping mission in the country, Operation Sangaris , and largely withdrew its troops, saying that the operation was a success. By March 2014, the UNSC had authorised a probe into possible genocide, which in turn followed International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda initiating
1694-583: A political party called Central African Party for Unity and Development (PCUD) but he had little control over the loose network of fighters. In May 2015, a national reconciliation conference organized by the transitional government of the Central Africa Republic took place. This was called the Bangui National Forum . The forum resulted in the adoption of a Republican Pact for Peace, National Reconciliation and Reconstruction and
1815-518: A preliminary investigation into the " extreme brutality " and whether it falls into the court's remit. The UNSC mandate probe would be led by Cameroonian lawyer Bernard Acho Muna, who was the deputy chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda , former Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jorge Castañeda and Mauritanian lawyer Fatimata M'Baye. The ICC began prosecutions and Alfred Yekatom of
1936-599: A proponent of polygamy , and is thought to have had 60 wives, and to have fathered 42 children. Kony insists that he and the LRA are fighting for the Ten Commandments , and defended his actions in an interview, saying, "Is it bad? It is not against human rights. And that commandment was not given by Joseph. It was not given by LRA. No, those commandments were given by God." Ugandan political leader Betty Bigombe recalled that Kony and his followers used oil to ward off bullets and evil spirits . Kony claims to be
2057-433: A robust deployment to prevent FPRC taking the city and in February 2017, Joseph Zoundeiko , the chief of staff of FPRC who previously led the military wing of Séléka , was killed by MINUSCA after crossing one of the red lines. At the same time, MINUSCA negotiated the removal of Ali Darassa from the city. This led to UPC to find new territory, spreading the fighting from urban to rural areas previously spared. Additionally,
2178-682: A son, Ali Ssalongo Kony. In 1995, Kony rose to prominence in Acholiland after the Holy Spirit Movement of Alice Auma (also known as Lakwena and to whom Kony is believed to be related). The overthrow of Acholi President Tito Okello by Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Army (NRA) during the Ugandan Bush War (1981–1986) had culminated in mass looting of livestock, rape, burning of homes, genocide , and murder by Museveni's army. The acts committed by
2299-494: A spirit medium. In 2008, responding to a request by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to engage in peace talks via telephone, he said, "I will communicate with Museveni through the holy spirits and not through the telephone." During peace talks in 1994, Kony was preceded by men in robes sprinkling holy water . According to Francis Ongom, a former LRA officer who defected, Kony "has found Bible justifications for killing witches, for killing [those who farm or eat] pigs because of
2420-432: A surge of attention in early March 2012, when a 30-minute documentary, Kony 2012 , by US filmmaker Jason Russell for the campaign group Invisible Children, Inc. was released. The intention of the production was to draw attention to Kony in an effort to increase US involvement in the issue and have Kony arrested by the end of 2012. A poll suggested that more than half of young adult Americans heard about Kony 2012 in
2541-589: A symbolic show of disapproval, stated that he would "not be called President of the Republic, but Head of State of the Transition". According to the plans for the transition, Djotodia would not stand as a candidate for president in the election that would conclude the transition. On 13 September 2013, Djotodia formally disbanded Séléka , which he had lost effective control of once the coalition had taken power. This had little actual effect in stopping abuses by
SECTION 20
#17328010451522662-549: Is an ongoing civil war in the Central African Republic (CAR) involving the government, rebels from the Séléka coalition, and Anti-balaka militias. In the preceding Central African Republic Bush War (2004–2007), the government of President François Bozizé fought with rebels until a peace agreement in 2007. The current conflict arose when a new coalition of varied rebel groups, known as Séléka , accused
2783-582: Is in Bria . Darassa rebuffed multiple attempts to reunify Séléka and threatened FPRC's hegemony. Noureddine Adam declared the autonomous Republic of Logone or Dar El Kuti on 14 December 2015 and intended Bambari as the capital, with the transitional government denouncing the declaration and MINUSCA stating it will use force against any separatist attempt. Another group is the " Central African Patriotic Movement " (MPC), founded by Mahamat Al Khatim . Since 2014, there has been little government control outside of
2904-639: Is located, has seen significant fighting as part of the Central African Republic Civil War . On 14 October 2019 Am Dafok was captured by the Movement of Central African Liberators for Justice (MLCJ). On 16 December it was recaptured by the Popular Front for the Rebirth of Central African Republic (FPRC). Armed Misseriya elements have a strong presence in Am Dafok. According to a 2021 report from
3025-459: The Acholi people and turn Uganda into a theocracy . Kony proclaims himself the spokesperson of God and a spirit medium and claims he is visited by a multinational host of 13 spirits, including a Chinese phantom. Ideologically, the group is a syncretic mix of mysticism , Acholi nationalism, and heterodox Christian fundamentalism , and claims to be establishing a theocratic state based on
3146-649: The Anti-balaka sides. Following the election, Samba-Panza made a speech in the parliament appealing to the Ex-Séléka and the Anti-balaka for putting down their weapons. On 27 January, Séléka leaders left Bangui under the escort of Chadian peacekeepers. The aftermath of Djotodia 's presidency was said to be without law, a functioning police and courts leading to a wave of violence against Muslims . The European Union decided to set up its first military operations in six years when foreign ministers approved
3267-650: The CAR contingent in Kaga-Bandoro , in preparation for a counter-attack on N'Délé . Séléka forces took Kabo on 19 December, a major hub for transport between Chad and CAR, located west and north of the areas previously taken by the rebels. On 18 December 2012, the Chadian group Popular Front for Recovery (FPR) announced their allegiance to the Séléka coalition. On 20 December 2012, a rebel group based in northern CAR,
3388-499: The CPC , in an offensive led by UPC , had taken the country's fourth largest city, Bambari , according to its mayor, but the UN stated that its peacekeepers had retaken the city the next day. On 28 December, it was announced by the electoral commission that 800 (14%) of polling stations failed to operate during the presidential and legislative elections due to violent attacks from armed rebels. On 3 January 2021, MINUSCA reported that
3509-462: The Central African Republic (CAR), or South Sudan . In 2013, Kony was reported to be in poor health, and Michel Djotodia , president of the CAR, claimed he was negotiating with Kony to surrender. By April 2017 , Kony was still at large, but his force was reported to have shrunk to approximately 100 soldiers, down from an estimated high of 3,000. Both the United States and Uganda ended
3630-584: The Democratic Front of the Central African People (FDPC) joined the Séléka coalition. Four days later the rebel coalition took over Bambari , the country's third largest town, followed by Kaga-Bandoro on 25 December. Rebel forces reached Damara , bypassing the town of Sibut where around 150 Chadian troops were stationed together with CAR troops that withdrew from Kaga-Bandoro. On 26 December, hundreds of protesters surrounded
3751-458: The French embassy accusing the former colonial power of failing to help the army. Josué Binoua , the CAR 's minister for territorial administration, requested that France intervenes in case the rebels, now only 75 km (47 mi) away, manage to reach the capital Bangui . On 27 December, Bozizé asked the international community for assistance. French president François Hollande rejected
Am Dafok - Misplaced Pages Continue
3872-470: The French peacekeeping mission called Operation Sangaris . Interim president Michel Djotodia and Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye resigned on 10 January 2014 yet the conflict still continued. The National Transitional Council elected the new interim president of the Central African Republic after Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet became the Acting Chief of State. Nguendet, being the president of
3993-742: The Group of Patriotic Action for the Liberation of Central Africa (GAPLC), the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP), the People's Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD), the Movement of Central African Liberators for Justice (MLCJ), and the Democratic Front of the Central African People (FDPC). Tens of thousands of people were displaced by the unrest, which continued until 2007, with rebel forces seizing several cities during
4114-700: The Patriotic Convention for Saving the Country (CPSK). Al Habib announced that, in protest of the peace agreement, the Fundamental CPJP was launching an offensive dubbed "Operation Charles Massi ", in memory of the CPJP founder who was allegedly tortured and murdered by the government, and that his group intended to overthrow Bozizé . In September, Fundamental CPJP, using the French name Alliance CPSK-CPJP, took responsibility for attacks on
4235-723: The Ten Commandments and local Acholi tradition. In October 2006, the ICC announced that arrest warrants had been issued for five members of the Lord's Resistance Army for crimes against humanity following a sealed indictment. On the next day, Ugandan defense minister Amama Mbabazi revealed that the warrants include Kony, his deputy Vincent Otti , and LRA commanders Raska Lukwiya , Okot Odhiambo , and Dominic Ongwen . The Ugandan army killed Lukwiya on 12 August 2006. The BBC received information that Otti had been killed on 2 October 2007, at Kony's home. In November 2006, Kony met Jan Egeland ,
4356-569: The Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR). The Séléka claim they are fighting because of a lack of progress after a peace deal ended the Bush War . Following an appeal for help from Central African President François Bozizé , the President of Chad , Idriss Déby , pledged to send 2,000 troops to help quell the rebellion. The first Chadian troops arrived on 18 December 2012 to reinforce
4477-613: The United Kingdom and United States of America. An Acholi , Kony served as an altar boy in his childhood. After the Ugandan Civil War , Kony participated in the subsequent insurgency against president Yoweri Museveni under the Holy Spirit Movement or the Uganda People's Democratic Army before founding the LRA in 1987. Aiming to create a Christian state based on dominion theology , Kony directed
4598-543: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Misseriya forces engage in illegal taxation in Am Dafok. On 3 February 2021, Misseriya forces attacked a humanitarian convoy in Am Dafok. Around that time, a MINUSCA field mission found Misseriya forces had grown their control along the border with Sudan. Near to Am Dafok, and close to the Sudanese border, armed Misseriya elements attacked a patrol by
4719-514: The 10 members of the regional bloc. France had further boosted its presence in the country to 600 troops. On 6 January, South African President Jacob Zuma announced the deployment of 400 troops to CAR to assist the forces already present there. On 11 January 2013, a ceasefire agreement was signed in Libreville , Gabon . On 13 January, Bozizé signed a decree that removed Prime Minister Faustin-Archange Touadéra from power, as part of
4840-567: The Anti-Balaka who was involved in the 'Battle of Bangui' and Patrice Edouard Ngaïssona of the Anti-Balaka were arrested in 2018, although no one from the Ex-Séléka was arrested. In eastern CAR , tensions erupted in competition between Ex-Séléka militias arising over control of a goldmine in November 2016, where MPC and the FPRC coalition, which incorporated elements of their former enemy,
4961-401: The Anti-balaka and Djotodia and Adam of FPRC led to another ceasefire agreement where they called for amnesty for all perpetrators of abuses and the removal of the current transitional authorities. The transitional government and the international community dismissed the deal as it excluded them from the negotiations and termed the parties "Nairobists". By October 2015, Samba-Panza accused
Am Dafok - Misplaced Pages Continue
5082-683: The Anti-balaka, attacked UPC. The violence is often ethnic in nature with the FPRC associated with the Gula and Runga people and the UPC associated with the Fulani . Most of the fighting was in the centrally located Ouaka prefecture, which has the country's second largest city Bambari , because of its strategic location between the Muslim and Christian regions of the country and its wealth. The fight for Bambari in early 2017 displaced 20,000. MINUSCA made
5203-629: The CAR, Sudan, and the DRC where he was last seen. After the September 11 attacks , the United States designated the LRA a terrorist group. In August 2008, the US Department of State declared Kony a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224 , a designation that carries financial and other penalties. In November 2008, U.S. President George W. Bush signed
5324-625: The Liberation of the Central African Republic People" (MNLC) displaced around 60,000 people. MNLC, founded in October 2017, was led by Ahamat Bahar, a former member and co-founder of FPRC and MRC, and is allegedly backed by Fulani fighters from Chad . The Christian militant group RJ was formed in 2013, mostly by members of the presidential guard of former president Ange-Félix Patassé , and were composed mainly of ethnic Sara-Kaba . While both groups had previously divided
5445-483: The Museveni's NRA, now known as the Uganda People's Defence Force , led to Kony's creation of the LRA. The insurgencies gave rise to concentration camps in northern Uganda where over 2 million people were confined. The government burned people's properties using helicopter gunships, killing many. There were forced displacements in the northern region. International campaigns called for all camps to be dismantled and for
5566-542: The Nairobists of plotting a coup and dozens of FPRC combatants even walked from the north-east of the country to Sibut , a few kilometres from the capital, threatening the transitional authorities, but were stopped by international forces. With the de facto partition of the country between Ex-Séléka militias in the north and east and Anti-balaka militias in the south and west, hostilities between both sides decreased but sporadic fighting continued. In February 2016, after
5687-413: The Rebirth (or Renaissance) of Central African Republic " (FPRC). Later in 2014, Noureddine Adam led the FPRC and began demanding independence for the predominantly Muslim north, a move rejected by another general, Ali Darassa , who formed another Ex-Séléka faction called the " Union for Peace in the Central African Republic " (UPC), which was dominant in and around Bambari , while the FPRC's capital
5808-447: The U.S. announced it would deploy at least four CV-22 Ospreys and refueling planes, and 150 Air Force special forces personnel to assist in the capture of Kony. On 23 March 2012, the African Union announced its intentions to "send 5,000 soldiers to join the hunt for rebel leader Joseph Kony" and to "neutralize" him while isolating the scattered LRA groups responsible for 2,600 civilian killings since 2008. This international task force
5929-459: The U.S. forces are combat-equipped, they will only be providing information, advice, and assistance to partner nation forces, and they will not themselves engage LRA forces unless necessary for self-defense". On 3 April 2013, the Obama administration offered rewards of up to US$ 5 million for information leading to the arrest, transfer, or conviction of Kony, Ongwen, and Odhiambo. On 24 March 2014,
6050-498: The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator . Journeyman Pictures released a 2006 interview with Kony in which he proclaims: "I am a freedom fighter, not a terrorist." He told Reuters : "We don't have any children. We only have combatants." Prosecutors at the ICC applied for an in absentia hearing to confirm the charges against Kony in November 2022, and in 2024
6171-696: The Ugandan army invaded the DRC in search for the LRA in Operation Lightning Thunder. In November 2013, Kony was reported to be in poor health in the eastern CAR town of Nzoka. Looking back at the LRA's campaign of violence, The Guardian stated in 2015 that Kony's forces had been responsible for the deaths of over 100,000 and the abduction of at least 60,000 children. Various atrocities committed include raping young girls and abducting them for use as sex slaves . The actual number of LRA militia members has varied significantly over
SECTION 50
#17328010451526292-484: The affirmative) in the House of Representatives. In November 2010, Obama delivered a strategy document to Congress asking for more funding to disarm Kony and the LRA. In October 2011, Obama authorized the deployment of approximately 100 combat-equipped U.S. troops to central Africa. Their goal is to help regional forces remove Kony and senior LRA leaders from the battlefield. In a letter to Congress, Obama wrote: "Although
6413-453: The agreement with the rebel coalition. The rebels dropped their demand for President François Bozizé to resign, but he had to appoint a new prime minister from the opposition by 18 January 2013. On 17 January, Nicolas Tiangaye was appointed prime minister. The terms of the agreement also included that National Assembly of the Central African Republic be dissolved within a week with a year-long coalition government formed in its place and
6534-505: The appeal, saying that French troops would only be used to protect French nationals in CAR, and not to defend Bozizé's government. Reports indicated that the U.S . military was preparing plans to evacuate "several hundred" American citizens, as well as other nationals. Gabonese General Jean-Félix Akaga , commander of the Economic Community of Central African States ' (ECCAS) Multinational Force of Central Africa (FOMAC), said
6655-695: The capital Bangui , a total of 360 soldiers were sent to boost the defenses of Damara – Angola , Democratic Republic of the Congo , 120 each from Gabon , Republic of the Congo and Cameroon , with a Gabonese general in command of the force. Jean-Félix Akaga , the Gabonese general in charge of the MICOPAX force, sent by the ECCAS , declared that Damara represented a "red line that the rebels cannot cross", and that doing so would be "a declaration of war" against
6776-504: The capital was "fully secured" by the troops from its MICOPAX peacekeeping mission, adding that reinforcements should arrive soon. However, military sources in Gabon and Cameroon denied the report, claiming no decision had been taken regarding the crisis. Government soldiers launched a counterattack against rebel forces in Bambari on 28 December, leading to heavy clashes, according to
6897-485: The capital. Armed entrepreneurs have carved out personal fiefdoms in which they set up checkpoints, collect illegal taxes, and take in millions of dollars from the illicit coffee, mineral, and timber trades. At least 14 armed groups vied for territory, notably four factions formed by Ex-Séléka leaders who controlled about 60% of the country's territory. In January 2015, talks in Nairobi between Joachim Kokate representing
7018-476: The ceasefire was broken, with the government blaming Séléka and Séléka blaming the government for allegedly failing to honor the terms of the power-sharing agreement. By 21 March, the rebels had advanced to Bouca , 300 km from the capital Bangui . On 22 March, the fighting reached the town of Damara , 75 km from the capital. On 18 March 2013, the rebels, having taken over Gambo and Bangassou , threatened to take up arms again if their demands for
7139-421: The city. Residents reported many shop-owners had hired groups of armed men to guard their property in anticipation of possible looting, as thousands were leaving the city in overloaded cars and boats. The French military contingent rose to 400 with the deployment of 150 additional paratroopers sent from Gabon to Bangui M'Poko International Airport . French prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault again stressed that
7260-652: The conflict. On 13 April 2007, a peace agreement between the government and the UFDR was signed in Birao . The agreement provided for an amnesty for the UFDR, its recognition as a political party, and the integration of its fighters into the army. Further negotiations resulted in a Libreville Global Peace Accord agreement in 2008 for reconciliation, a unity government, local elections in 2009 and parliamentary and presidential elections in 2010. The new unity government that resulted
7381-542: The constitution and dissolved the government, as well as the National Assembly. He then reappointed Tiangaye as prime minister on 27 March 2013. In the following two days top military and police officers met with Djotodia and recognized him as president on 28 March 2013, in what was viewed as "a form of surrender", and the overall security situation was beginning to improve. A new government headed by Tiangaye , with 34 members, appointed on 31 March 2013, included nine members of Séléka , along with eight representatives of
SECTION 60
#17328010451527502-439: The country that they already controlled. This did not stop the violence, with 3R killing more than 50 people in several villages in May 2019, leading to MINUSCA to launch a military operation against them. In August 2019, Sidiki Abbas of 3R and Mahamat Al-Khatim of MPC resigned from their government posts. Democratic Front of the Central African People (FDPC) leader Abdoulaye Miskine refused to take his government post and joined
7623-411: The country were also weary of the French presence in MISCA, with the French accused of not doing enough to stop attacks by Christian militias. One of the cited reasons for the difficulty in stopping attacks by Anti-balaka militias was the mob nature of these attacks. After three days of talks, a ceasefire was signed on 24 July 2014 in Brazzaville , Republic of the Congo . The Séléka representative
7744-403: The country's largest ethnic group, retained much support among the population and army members. On 19 December 2020 six rebel groups who together control two-thirds of the country's territory, including 3R led by General Sembé Bobo , FPRC , and UPC , announced they had formed an alliance called the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), and accused President Touadéra of trying to rig
7865-421: The days following its release. Several weeks after its release, a resolution condemning Kony and supporting US assistance fighting the LRA was introduced in the US Senate, passing several months later. Kony 2012 has been criticized for simplifying the history of the LRA conflict, and for failing to note that Kony was already pushed out of Uganda six years before the film was made. Dominic Ongwen served as
7986-425: The directive to the United States Africa Command to provide financial and logistical assistance to the Ugandan government during the unsuccessful 2008–2009 Garamba offensive , code-named Operation Lightning Thunder . No U.S. troops were directly involved. 17 U.S. advisers and analysts provided intelligence, equipment, and fuel to Ugandan military counterparts. The offensive pushed Kony from his jungle camp, but he
8107-422: The early stage of the war. About 15,000 people fled from their homes in an attack in May and six U.N . peacekeepers were killed – the deadliest month for the mission yet. In June 2017, another ceasefire was signed in Rome by the government and 14 armed groups including FPRC, but the next day fighting between an FPRC faction and Anti-balaka militias killed more than 100 people. In October 2017, another ceasefire
8228-429: The election and stated their intent to advance to the capital. They seized several towns close to Bangui . The government accused Bozizé of fomenting a coup with the rebels after his candidacy for presidential elections was rejected by the country's highest court, but Bozizé denied this. On 20 December 2020 Rwanda confirmed it had sent troops and Russia said it had sent 300 military instructors. On 22 December,
8349-506: The electoral commission declared Touadéra the winner of the presidential election. A state of emergency was declared in 25 January, and President Touadéra has been accused of using that opportunity to crack down on opponents and consolidate power. Pro-Touadéra militias known as the "Sharks" and "7th Territorial Infantry Battalion" are alleged to have been involved in disappearances of members of Bozizé 's party and former president's Catherine Samba-Panza , as well as challengers of Touadéra in
8470-457: The five LRA commanders charged by the ICC in 2004, only Kony remained at large at that time. With only a few hundred fighters remaining loyal to him, it was mistakenly thought that he would be unable to evade capture much longer. In February 2021, Ongwen was convicted by the International Criminal Court of 61 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes. In April 2017, Ugandan and US military forces ended their hunt for Kony and his group, with
8591-424: The foreign ministers in the ECCAS announced that more troops from the Multinational Force for Central Africa (FOMAC) would be sent to the country to support the 560 members of the MICOPAX mission already present. The announcement was done by Chad 's Foreign Minister Moussa Faki after a meeting in the Gabonese capital Libreville . At the same time, ECCAS Deputy Secretary-General Guy-Pierre Garcia confirmed that
8712-481: The formation of an inclusive transitional council and the holding of new elections in 18 months, rather than three years as envisioned by Djotodia. Speaking on 4 April, Information Minister Christophe Gazam Betty said that Djotodia had accepted the proposals of the African leaders; however, he suggested that Djotodia could remain in office if he were elected to head the transitional council. Djotodia accordingly signed
8833-503: The government and 14 rebel groups in February 2019 called the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, the eighth such agreement since the war started in 2012. As part of the accord, Ali Darassa of UPC, Mahamat Al-Khatim of MPC and Sidiki Abass of 3R were given positions as special military advisers to the prime minister's office overseeing special mixed units made of government and rebel soldiers in regions of
8954-451: The government of failing to abide by the peace agreements, captured many towns in 2012 and seized the capital in 2013. Bozizé fled the country, and the rebel leader Michel Djotodia declared himself president. Renewed fighting began between Séléka and militias opposed to them called Anti-balaka . In September 2013, President Djotodia disbanded the Séléka coalition, which had lost its unity after taking power, and resigned in 2014. He
9075-399: The ground claimed the talks were not representative and fighting continued with Séléka's military leader Joseph Zoundeiko rejected the ceasefire agreement the next day saying it lacked input from his military wing and brought back the demand for partition. Ngaïssona told a general assembly of Anti-balaka fighters and supporters to lay down their arms and that Anti-balaka would be turned into
9196-422: The growing number of displaced people. Rebel forces took over the town of Sibut without firing a shot on 29 December, as at least 60 vehicles with CAR and Chadian troops retreated to Damara , the last city standing between Séléka and the capital. In Bangui , the government ordered a 7 pm to 5 am curfew and banned the use of motorcycle taxis , fearing they could be used by rebels to infiltrate
9317-399: The hearing was scheduled for 15 October. Kony will be represented by a court-appointed lawyer if he has not been captured when the hearing, the first of its kind to take place at the ICC, takes place. Kony's followers, as well as some detractors, believe he is possessed by spirits . Kony tells his child soldiers that a cross on their chest drawn in oil will protect them from bullets. He is
9438-532: The hunt for Kony and the LRA, believing that the LRA was no longer a significant security risk to Uganda. As of 2022, he is reported to be hiding in Darfur . Kony was born in c. 1961 in Odek , Northern Region , Uganda. He is a member of the Acholi people . His father, Luizi Obol, was a farmer and lay catechist of the Catholic Church. Kony's mother, Nora Oting, was an Anglican and also
9559-491: The intention of " maintaining security and training local officers ". On 15 February, France announced that it would send an additional 400 troops to the country. French president François Hollande 's office called for " increased solidarity " with the CAR and for the United Nations Security Council to accelerate the deployment of peacekeeping troops to the CAR. Ban Ki-moon then also called for
9680-526: The militia soldiers who were now referred to as Ex-Séléka. Self-defense militias called Anti-balaka previously formed to fight crime on a local level, had organized into militias against abuses by Séléka soldiers. On 5 December 2013, called "A Day That Will Define Central African Republic", the Anti-balaka militias coordinated an attack on Bangui against its Muslim population, killing more than 1,000 civilians, in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Djotodia. On 14 May, CAR 's PM Nicolas Tiangaye requested
9801-498: The multi-decade Lord's Resistance Army insurgency . After Kony's terror activities, he was banished from Uganda and shifted to South Sudan . Kony has long been one of Africa's most notorious and most wanted militant warlords. He has been accused by government entities of ordering the abduction of children to become child soldiers and sex slaves . Approximately 66,000 children became soldiers, and 2 million people were displaced internally from 1986 to 2009 by his forces. Kony
9922-427: The national defence forces on 16 April. The attack, in nearby Am-Sissia, killed three people and injured four others. On 12 May, soldiers from the national defense forces stationed in Am Dafok left for Birao , following persistent threats from local militias. That evening, their convoy was ambushed in an attack that injured two people. A UNSC presumed the attack was conducted by armed Misseriya elements near Dongore. In
10043-677: The other side. In western CAR , another rebel group, with no known links to Séléka or Anti-balaka , called "Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation" (3R) formed in 2015 reportedly by Sidiki Abass , claiming to be protecting Muslim Fulani people from an Anti-balaka militia led by Abbas Rafal. They are accused of displacing 17,000 people in November 2016 and at least 30,000 people in the Ouham-Pendé prefecture in December 2016. In northwestern CAR around Paoua , fighting since December 2017 between "Revolution and Justice" (RJ) and "Movement for
10164-642: The parties that had opposed Bozizé , while only one member of the government was associated with Bozizé, and 16 positions were given to representatives of civil society. The former opposition parties declared on 1 April that they would boycott the government to protest its domination by Séléka, arguing that the 16 positions given to representatives of civil society were in fact "handed over to Séléka allies disguised as civil society activists". On 3 April 2013, African leaders meeting in Chad declared that they did not recognize Djotodia as president; instead, they proposed
10285-465: The peace among rival militias. France called for a vote at the UNSC in April 2014 and expected a unanimous resolution authorising 10,000 troops and 1,800 police to replace the over 5,000 African Union soldiers on 15 September; the motion was then approved. After an incident where civilians were killed that involved Chadian soldiers, Chad announced the withdrawal of its forces from MISCA in April 2014. As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned of
10406-642: The people to return to their former villages. In 2006, in the Juba peace talks with the LRA rebels, Museveni's government gave permission for local people to return to their villages. This marked the beginning of the rehabilitation of homes, roads, and so on. Kony has been implicated in abduction and recruitment of child soldiers . The LRA has had battle confrontations with the government's NRA or UPDF within Uganda and in South Sudan for ten years. In 2008
10527-526: The precondition that government forces stop arresting members of the Gula tribe. The rebel coalition confirmed it would demand the immediate departure of President Bozizé, who had pledged to see out his term until its end in 2016. By 1 January reinforcements from FOMAC began to arrive in Damara to support the 400 Chadian troops already stationed there as part of the MICOPAX mission. With rebels closing in on
10648-550: The pro-government CPJP faction, countered that the CPJP was committed to the peace agreement and the attacks were the work of Chadian rebels, saying this group of "thieves" would never be able to march on Bangui . Al Habib was killed by FACA on 19 September in Daya, a town north of Dekoa . In November 2012, in Obo , FACA soldiers were injured in an attack attributed to Chadian Popular Front for Recovery rebels. On 10 December 2012,
10769-467: The provisional parliament and viewed as being close to Djotodia, did not run for the election under diplomatic pressure. On 20 January 2014, Catherine Samba-Panza , the mayor of Bangui , was elected as the interim president in the second round voting. Samba-Panza was viewed as having been neutral and away from clan clashes. Her arrival to the presidency was generally accepted by both the Ex-Séléka and
10890-581: The rapid deployment of 3,000 additional international peacekeepers. Because of increasing violence, on 10 April 2014, the UN Security Council transferred MISCA to a UN peacekeeping operation called the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) with 10,000 troops, to be deployed in September that year. MINUSCA drew figurative "red lines" on the roads to keep
11011-500: The rebel coalition partially captured Bangassou , adding that the fighters were allied to former president François Bozizé . It is argued that the arrival of the Rwandans and Russians thwarted the rebels from reaching Bangui and so the rebels adopted a long-term strategy of suffocating Bangui by controlling the resources around it, however, on 13 January, the CPC attacked the capital but were eventually repelled. On 4 January,
11132-521: The rebels and the CAR government had agreed to unconditional talks, with the goal to get to negotiations by 10 January at the latest. In Bangui , the U.S. Air Force evacuated around 40 people from the country, including the American ambassador . The International Committee of the Red Cross also evacuated eight of its foreign workers, though local volunteers and 14 other foreigners remained to help
11253-471: The rebels seized the towns of N'Délé , Sam Ouandja and Ouadda , as well as weapons left by fleeing soldiers. On 15 December, rebel forces took Bamingui , and three days later they advanced to Bria , moving closer to Bangui . The Alliance CPSK-CPJP for the first time used the name Séléka (meaning "union" in the Sango language ) with a press release calling itself "Séléka CPSK-CPJP-UFDR", thus including
11374-701: The recent polls, Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Martin Ziguélé , report being prevented from exiting the country. Joseph Kony This is an accepted version of this page Joseph Rao Kony (born c. 1961 ) is a Ugandan militant and warlord who founded the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), designated as a terrorist group by the United Nations Peacekeepers , the European Union , and various other governments including
11495-509: The regional economic community Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). After François Bozizé seized power in 2003, the Central African Republic Bush War (2004–2007) began with the rebellion by the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) in northeastern CAR , led by Michel Djotodia . During this conflict, the UFDR rebel forces also fought with several other rebel groups including
11616-477: The release of political prisoners, the integration of their forces into the national army and for South African soldiers to leave the country were not met within 72 hours. Three days later, they took control of the towns of Damara and Bossangoa . By 23 March, they entered Bangui . On 24 March, rebels reached the Presidential Palace in the centre of the capital. The Presidential Palace and
11737-412: The resource-rich country and for influence among regional powers such as Chad , Sudan and Rwanda and international powers such as France and Russia . More than 1.1 million people have fled their homes in a country of about 5 million people, the highest ever recorded in the country. The peacekeeping force Multinational Force in the Central African Republic (FOMUC) was formed in October 2002 by
11858-488: The rest of the capital soon fell to rebel forces and Bozizé fled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo , which was followed by widespread looting in the capital. By 2 April, only 20 of the original 200 South African National Defence Force troops stationed in CAR remained in the country. A company of French troops secured Bangui M'Poko International Airport and France sent 350 soldiers to ensure
11979-1344: The schools was burned during the civil war. Am Dafok has one health center. This Central African Republic location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Central African Republic Civil War Ongoing [REDACTED] Central African Republic [REDACTED] MINUSCA (since 2014) [REDACTED] Rwanda (since 2020) [REDACTED] Russia (since 2018) Formerly: [REDACTED] France (2013–2021) [REDACTED] MPC [REDACTED] Republic of Logone [REDACTED] PRNC [REDACTED] Lord's Resistance Army Defunct groups: [REDACTED] François Bozizé (since 2020) [REDACTED] Noureddine Adam (FPRC) [REDACTED] Ali Darassa (UPC) [REDACTED] Mahamat al-Khatim (MPC) ( POW ) [REDACTED] Sembé Bobbo (3R) [REDACTED] Bernard Bonda (Anti-balaka) [REDACTED] Igor Lamaka (Anti-balaka) [REDACTED] Joseph Kony (LRA) [REDACTED] 11,000 (2022) [REDACTED] MINUSCA : 15,760 (2022) [REDACTED] Wagner Group: 1,200 (2022) Black Russians: 3,000+ Formerly: Séléka takeover (2012–2013) Séléka–Anti-balaka conflict (2013–2020) CPC rebellion (2020–) The Central African Republic Civil War
12100-490: The security of its citizens, bringing the total number of French troops in CAR to nearly 600. On 25 March 2013, Séléka leader Michel Djotodia , who served after the January agreement as First Deputy Prime Minister for National Defense, declared himself president, becoming the first Muslim to ever hold the office. Djotodia said that there would be a three-year transitional period and that Nicolas Tiangaye would continue to serve as prime minister. Djotodia promptly suspended
12221-435: The sending of up to 1,000 soldiers to the country by the end of February, to be based around Bangui . Estonia promised to send soldiers, while Lithuania , Slovenia , Finland , Belgium , Poland and Sweden were considering sending troops; Germany , Italy and Great Britain announced that they would not send soldiers. The UN Security Council unanimously voted to approve sending European Union troops and to give them
12342-415: The signature of a Disarmament, Demobilisation, Rehabilitation and Repatriation (DDRR) agreement among 9 of 10 armed groups. Months after the official dissolution of Séléka it was not known who was in charge of Ex-Séléka factions during talks with Anti-balaka until on 12 July 2014, Michel Djotodia was reinstated as the head of an ad hoc coalition of Ex-Séléka which renamed itself " The Popular Front for
12463-561: The story of the Gadarene swine , and for killing [other] people because God did the same with Noah's flood and Sodom and Gomorrah ." Before the insurgency, he escaped in 1989 to Uganda. He was later captured by the Ugandan government. He was released in 1992 after the government no longer viewed him as a threat. The Ugandan military has attempted to kill Kony throughout the insurgency. In Uganda's attempt to track down Kony, former LRA combatants have been enlisted to search remote areas of
12584-465: The terms of the 2007 agreement and that there continued to be political abuses, especially in the northern part of the country, such as "torture and illegal executions". In August 2012 a peace agreement was signed between the government and the CPJP . On 20 August 2012, an agreement was signed between a dissident faction of the CPJP, led by Colonel Hassan Al Habib calling itself Fundamental CPJP , and
12705-661: The territory in the Northwest, tensions erupted after the killing of RJ leader, Clément Bélanga, in November 2017. Beginning around 2017, Russia began to increasingly support the government of Touadéra , whose personal guard became largely Russian as well. Three Russian journalists were killed in 2018 while investigating Russian mercenary groups in CAR . In August 2018, Russia and Sudan helped broker another tentative agreement among armed groups. After talks in Khartoum , an African Union led initiative led to an accord between
12826-419: The thinly spread MINUSCA relied on Ugandan as well as American special forces to keep the peace in the southeast, as they were part of a campaign to eliminate the Lord's Resistance Army , but the mission ended in April 2017. By the latter half of 2017, the fighting largely shifted to the southeast where the UPC reorganized and were pursued by the FPRC and Anti-balaka with the level of violence only matched by
12947-521: The towns of Sibut , Damara and Dekoa , killing two members of the army. It claimed that it had killed two additional members of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) in Damara , capturing military and civilian vehicles, weapons including rockets, and communications equipment, and launched unsuccessful assault on a fourth town, Grimari , and promised more operations in the future. Mahamath Isseine Abdoulaye , president of
13068-540: The troops were only present to "protect French and European nationals" and not deal with the rebels. On 30 December, President Bozizé agreed to a possible national unity government with members of the Séléka coalition. On 2 January 2013, the president took over as the new head of the defense ministry from his son and dismissed army chief Guillaume Lapo . Meanwhile, rebel spokesman Col. Djouma Narkoyo confirmed that Séléka had stopped their advance and will enter peace talks due to start in Libreville on 8 January, on
13189-533: The weeks following the outbreak of the 2023 Sudan conflict , nearly 10,000 people fled from Sudan into Am Dafok. The small settlement is located within the border of the African Grassland and the Sahara Desert and is in a Sub-Tropic zone of the continent. Am Dafok lies in a flood -prone area, and experiences rainy season during summer months. There are two schools in the village. One of
13310-512: The years, reaching as high as 3000 soldiers. By 2017, the organization's membership had shrunk significantly to an estimated 100 soldiers. In April 2017, both the US and Ugandan governments ended efforts to find Kony and fight the LRA, stating that the LRA no longer posed a significant security risk to Uganda. While initially purporting to fight against government oppression, the LRA allegedly turned against Kony's own supporters, supposedly to "purify"
13431-439: Was General Mohamed Moussa Dhaffane, and the Anti-balaka representative was Patrick Edouard Ngaïssona . The talks were mediated by Congolese president Denis Sassou Nguesso and South Sudanese diplomat Albino Aboug . The Séléka delegation had pushed for a formalization of the partition of the Central African Republic with Muslims in the north and Christians in the south but dropped that demand in talks. Many factions on
13552-541: Was elected president in 2016, ran and won the 2020 election, which triggered the main rebel factions to form an alliance opposed to the election called the Coalition of Patriots for Change , which was coordinated by former president Bozizé. Peacekeeping largely transitioned from the ECCAS -led MICOPAX to the African Union -led MISCA to the United Nations -led MINUSCA , while the French peacekeeping mission
13673-548: Was formed in January 2009. On 12 July 2008, with the waning of the Central African Republic Bush War , the larger overlapping regional economic community to CEMAC called the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), replaced FOMUC, whose mandate was largely restricted to security, with the Central African Peacebuilding Mission (MICOPAX), who had a broader peace building mandate. Rebel groups alleged that Bozizé had not followed
13794-453: Was founded by Abakar Sabon and was not part of the Séléka alliance that overthrew Bozizé , killed at least 24 people and displaced about 24,000. Presidential and legislative elections were scheduled for 27 December 2020. Former president François Bozizé had announced his return to the country in December 2019 and his intent to run in the presidential election. Bozizé, of the Gbaya ,
13915-600: Was indicted in 2005 for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague , but he has evaded capture. He has been subject to an Interpol Red Notice at the ICC's request since 2006. Since the Juba peace talks in 2006, the Lord's Resistance Army no longer operates in Uganda. Sources claim that they are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),
14036-437: Was known as Operation Sangaris . Much of the tension is over religious identity between Muslim Séléka fighters and Christian Anti-balaka , and ethnic differences among ex-Séléka factions, and historical antagonism between agriculturalists, who largely comprise Anti-balaka, and nomadic groups, who constitute most Séléka fighters. Other contributing factors include the struggle for control of diamonds and other resources in
14157-494: Was not captured. One hundred children were rescued. In May 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law the Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act , legislation aimed at stopping Kony and the LRA. The bill passed unanimously in the United States Senate on 11 March. On 12 May 2010, a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill was agreed to by voice vote (two-thirds being in
14278-404: Was replaced by Catherine Samba-Panza , but the conflict continued. In July 2014, ex-Séléka factions and Anti-balaka representatives signed a ceasefire agreement. By the end of 2014, the country was de facto partitioned with the Anti-Balaka controlling the south and west, from which most Muslims had evacuated, and ex-Séléka groups controlling the north and east. Faustin-Archange Touadéra , who
14399-456: Was required to free all political prisoners imprisoned during the conflict, and foreign troops must return to their countries of origin. Under the agreement, Séléka rebels were not required to give up the cities they have taken or were then occupying, allegedly as a way to ensure that the Bozizé government would not renege on the agreement. Bozizé would be allowed to remain president until new presidential elections in 2016. On 23 January 2013,
14520-402: Was said to include soldiers "from Uganda, South Sudan, Central African Republic and Congo, countries where Kony's reign of terror has been felt over the years." Before this announcement, the hunt for Kony had primarily been carried out by troops from Uganda. The soldiers began their search in South Sudan on 24 March 2012, and the search "will last until Kony is caught". Kony and the LRA received
14641-411: Was signed between the UPC, the FPRC, and Anti-balaka groups, and FPRC announced Ali Darassa as coalition vice-president, but fighting continued afterward. By July 2018 the FPRC was headed by Abdoulaye Hissène and based in the northeastern town of N'Délé . In 2019, the FPRC split into two factions, a Runga group on one side, including Abdoulaye Hissene, and rival fighters from the Gula and Kara on
#151848