The Central African Republic (CAR) has seen notable progress in its disarmament efforts, with 478 members of the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) voluntarily joining the National Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Return (DDRR) Program, according to military reports. These former rebels surrendered 1,788 rounds of military ammunition, 30 AK-47 rifles, and eight rocket launchers to DDRR officials.
In the past two weeks alone, around 150 rebels have disarmed, signaling an acceleration in the process. However, the nation continues to grapple with violent conflicts, as armed groups like Seleka, Anti-Balaka, 3R (Return, Requisition, Reconstruction), the Union for Peace (UPC), the CAR Patriotic Movement (MPC), and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) vie for control over resource-rich territories.
The CPC, a coalition of various rebel factions, previously attempted to seize the capital, Bangui, in December 2020 but failed. The ongoing violence, which erupted in 2013, has resulted in thousands of deaths, predominantly affecting the Muslim community, and displaced over a million people.
The recent disarmament efforts are seen as a step forward in stabilizing the country, though challenges remain as insurgent groups continue to compete for dominance in resource-laden regions.
