Constitutional court 1 March validated President Touadéra’s Feb election victory. Touadéra 10 March formed political secretariat to define priorities for forthcoming govt. France 30 March confirmed gradual withdrawal of Sangaris military mission by end of 2016. Constitutional court 14 March invalidated Feb legislative elections results for ten districts, citing irregularities. Second round legislative vote 31 March saw low voter turnout. Fighting in villages near central Bambari early month killed at least twelve. LRA and other armed groups in SE killed two, abducted twenty in three attacks during month. International Criminal Court 21 March convicted Congolese former rebel Jean-Pierre Bemba of war crimes and crimes against humanity, judging him responsible for abuses committed by his militia in CAR 2002-2003.

National Election Authority (ANE) 20 Feb provisionally announced former PM Touadéra winner of peaceful 14 Feb presidential run-off with 63% of vote. Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, runner-up with 37%, accepted result 20 Feb. Touadéra’s campaign director 22 Feb said president would focus first on disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and repatriation (DDRR) and restructuring armed forces. ANE 23 Feb announced results of 14 Feb legislative elections; 46 districts elected MPs in first round, second round to be held 27 March. AU observer mission noted transparent elections with some logistical problems. Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) attacks continued; three killed, over 59 abducted in ten raids. Ex-Seleka faction Popular Front for the Central African Renaissance (FPRC) 8 Feb handed captured LRA commander Okot Odek to U.S. forces; U.S. 12 Feb said another LRA commander defected near SE Pangbayanga. UNSC 9 Feb adopted Resolution 2264 maintaining MINUSCA military and police ceiling at 12,830 and adding 68 corrections officers.

National Election Authority (ANE) 7 Jan announced former PMs Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Faustin-Archange Touadéra came first and second in 30 Dec presidential vote. With no absolute majority, both will run in second round 14 Feb. First round losers including André Kolingba, Martin Ziguélé and Karim Mekassoua 12 Jan demanded manual recount; constitutional court 25 Jan rejected their appeals and annulled legislative election results, announced 13 Jan, citing irregularities. Rerun of legislatives will be held 14 Feb. Following 28 Jan call by Alliance of Democratic Forces for Transition (AFDT), hundreds 29 Jan marched through Bangui demanding re-run of presidential vote. Month saw surge in attacks by Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) militia across SE; one killed, over 70 abducted in at least sixteen raids. Looting and kidnapping by CAR rebels in Cameroon prompted Cameroonian army response (see Cameroon). MINUSCA reported advances in pre-DDR: ex-combatants surrendered grenades and military uniforms in Bouar, Nana Mambere prefecture. UNSC 27 Jan adopted Resolution 2262 extending sanctions regime for CAR until 31 Jan 2017.

Presidential and legislative elections held peacefully 30 Dec after three-day delay due to logistical difficulties. Transitional Constitutional Court 8 Dec rejected 30 candidate applications for presidential vote including former President François Bozizé, anti-balaka leader Patrice Edouard Ngaissona and businessman Amine Michel; Bozizé accused court of banning him because of foreign pressure; demonstrators 12 Dec protested court’s invalidation of Ngaissona’s candidacy. Some 90% approved constitution in constitutional referendum held 13 Dec amid significant technical and logistical challenges. Violence erupted across country same day including in Bangui’s PK5 district where clashes erupted after MINUSCA peacekeepers came under fire, armed men launched repeated attacks in attempt to block vote. Ex-Seleka rebel and current leader of Front patriotique pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique (FPRC) Noureddine Adam 7 Dec said he would not allow elections to take place in Kaga Bandoro region under his control, 14 Dec proclaimed “Republic of Logone” and said he will seek independence.

Electoral authority (ANE) 9 Nov announced electoral timetable: constitutional referendum scheduled for 13 Dec, first round legislative and presidential elections for 27 Dec and second round for 31 Jan 2016. Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) 25 Nov announced extension of current transition (scheduled to end 30 Dec) until 31 March to ensure no vacancy of power. ANE 14 Nov opened applications for presidential candidacies. President Samba Panza 2 Nov reaffirmed CAR “on the right track” to hold vote. However, deadly clashes and violence continued. Armed militants 16 Nov clashed with MINUSCA during operation to dismantle barriers in 3rd and 6th districts; militiamen 19 Nov disarmed UN peacekeeper patrol. Violence also continued outside capital: UN peacekeeper found dead 10 Nov following clashes between ex-Seleka fighters and MINUSCA troops at checkpoint near Batangafo, where ex-Seleka fighters same day killed five in IDP camp; armed men 11 Nov killed two Union for Peace in Central Africa (UPC) members in Bambari, prompting reprisal from ex-Seleka in IDP camp. Pope Francis visited 29-30 Nov, called for unity and “new chapter” for CAR. MINUSCA 10 Nov decided to deploy 1,140 additional troops and police plus drones ahead of Dec elections. EU 17 Nov announced new military advisory mission to succeed current one mid-2016.

Deadly communal violence sparked late Sept continued, leaving dozens dead and prompting govt to delay elections: over 70 killed and tens of thousands displaced in capital Bangui after late-Sept killing of Muslim motorcycle taxi driver. Govt organised national consultations throughout Oct to restore dialogue but some armed groups and political parties boycotted discussions. President Samba-Panza late Oct reshuffled cabined, replaced defence, public security and justice ministers. French Sangaris forces and to a lesser extent UN peacekeepers 11 Oct clashed near Sibut with ex-Seleka rebels attempting to march on capital. One peacekeeper killed, another injured early Oct near Bangui; at least one killed, ten injured in Bangui’s PK5 district 15 Oct; seven UN police ambushed in SW Boali 18 Oct, taken hostage for several hours; armed men 26 Oct attacked Ali Darassa Union for Peace in Central Africa (UPC) delegation in Bangui, triggering reprisals against Christians in PK5. Religious and political leaders also targeted by militias: evangelical fellowship president early Oct escaped murder attempt; National Transitional Council (CNT) VP Léa Koyassoum Doumta briefly abducted by anti-balaka 18 Oct. UNSC 20 Oct said ready to impose fresh round of sanctions on those responsible for recent upsurge in violence. Transitional govt 1 Oct announced elections scheduled for 18 Oct delayed, election commission scheduled new date of 13 Dec. President of election commission resigned 8 Oct.

Security deteriorated significantly; at least 36 were killed, some 200 injured and 30,000 displaced 27-29 Sept in intercommunal clashes involving armed youth militia in Bangui. Clashes followed 26 Sept killing of Muslim motorbike taxi driver. Armed militants 28 Sept attacked Bangui prison, freed some 500 inmates; 29 Sept erected barricades and clashed with MINUSCA and Sangaris forces. Anti-balaka fighters 27 Sept reportedly began gathering in provinces, possibly to march to Bangui. UN, U.S. and EU 28 Sept condemned violence, called on all sides to lay down weapons. Thousands demonstrated in Bangui 27-28 Sept criticising international forces, calling for resignation of transitional President Samba Panza and greater role for national military; protest dispersed by UN peacekeepers. Demonstrations also held 28-29 Sept in Bambari and Kaga Bandoro, multiple houses burned. Samba Panza 29 Sept returned early from UNGA, said elections will be delayed and accused “former dignitaries” of fomenting violence. FM Samuel Rangba 30 Sept called for UN peacekeeping mission to be strengthened, sanctions impacting training of military forces to be lifted. Electoral commission early-Sept began work on new calendar to postpone elections, amid deteriorating security and slow pace of electoral preparations and registration of refugees.

Amid worsening sex abuse allegations, UN mission MINUSCA continued to struggle to secure provinces, 2 Aug launched failed operation in PK-5 district in Bangui leaving at least five dead, including one peacekeeper. Rwandan peacekeeper, reportedly traumatised by operation, 8 Aug shot dead four colleagues, wounded eight before killing himself at base in Bangui. Following Amnesty International report of allegations of abuses during 2 Aug PK-5 operation including against children, UNSG Ban 12 Aug dismissed MINUSCA head. At least fifteen killed, twenty injured 20-24 Aug in clashes between ex-Seleka and anti-balaka forces in Bambari region; several killed in Bria in intercommunal clashes. Chief of former President Michael Bozizé’s party Kwa Na Kwa (KNK) Bertin Béa 7 Aug announced Bozizé will run in presidential elections scheduled for Oct 2015 despite international warrant against him for crimes against humanity and inciting genocide. Police 15 Aug arrested Béa as he was trying to leave country, accused him of inciting public disorder; KNK supporters 20 Aug attacked prosecutor’s office and liberated Béa, who voluntarily returned to detention 24 Aug. Transitional National Council 20 Aug agreed to grant refugees right to vote in Oct presidential polls, 30 Aug adopted draft new constitution, including two-term limit for presidency, to be submitted for referendum.

UN 13 July expressed concern about 30 June National Transitional Council (NTC) decision to refuse refugees right to vote in Oct presidential polls; Transitional Constitutional Court 21 July said decision unconstitutional. Electoral census closed in Bangui 27 July after opening late June, opened in all other provinces late July. Militia members including ex-Seleka rebels 28 July clashed over control of Markounda city in NW, at least 26 killed. Two UN peacekeepers injured in clashes with militants near Cameroon border 27 July. Anti-balaka leader Sébastien Wenezaoui entered govt 21 July after reshuffle.

Electoral authority (ANE) 16 June announced electoral timetable: parliamentary and first round of presidential elections scheduled for 18 Oct, second round of presidential polls for late Nov; UN representatives at meeting organised by UN Peacebuilding Commission 8 June called for urgent financing for elections. DDR process also remains significantly underfunded, with several donors denouncing absence of concrete DDR strategy. France 4 June announced it would reduce troops in country from 1,700 to 900 by end June. UNSG Ban 3 June ordered independent investigation into UN handling of allegations of child abuse by peacekeepers; UN spokesperson 23 June said new abuse allegations revealed, relevant member state asked to investigate. Clashes between anti-balaka and MINUSCA forces in Bangui 3 June left 70 students hospitalised. Kimberley Process 26 June allowed CAR to partially resume exporting diamonds.