Participants at Bangui Forum 10 May signed agreement recommending postponement of elections, extension of interim govt mandate. Ten armed groups signed agreement to disarm and demobilise, rejected by former President Djotodia’s Seleka faction and Abdulaye Miskine’s Democratic Front of the Central African Republic People (FDPC) rebel group. Hundreds of protesters, anti-balaka and Seleka members 11-12 May opposed forum’s outcome, proposed election delay. French prosecutor 7 May opened investigation into alleged abuses by French peacekeepers; justice minister 18 May said ministry not informed of investigation details, said Bangui will open separate inquiry. Leaders of ten armed groups 14 May released over 350 children as part of agreement to end use of child soldiers, facilitated by UNICEF and signed at Bangui Forum. President Samba Panza 27-28 May visited Brussels and Paris to raise funds for elections, ask for stronger humanitarian response to crisis and support for DDR program.

Bangui Forum on national reconciliation postponed until 4 May; preparations hampered by ongoing disagreements between political actors. Following tensions over appointments, President Samba Panza 16 April signed four decrees replacing Jean-Jacques Demafouth with Health Minister Marguerite Samba as coordinator of technical committee in charge of Forum’s preparation and designating Senegalese Abdoulaye Bathily, head of UN regional office for Central Africa, as chair of Forum’s presidium. Rivalries between armed group factions continued, leaders claimed they were under-represented in Forum; no agreement on participation of Seleka leader and former transitional President Michel Djotodia, former President François Bozizé. Djotodia and Bozizé 14 April signed statement pledging to adhere to July 2014 Brazzaville ceasefire, support political process. Govt rejected 8 April Nairobi peace deal signed by anti-balaka, Seleka representatives. International media late April reported leaked UN report on 2014 sexual abuse of children by French peacekeepers in CAR; French govt 29 April said investigation ongoing. UNSC 28 April renewed MINUSCA mandate until 30 April 2016. Up to 400 protesters 10 April attacked UN base in Kaga-Bandoro, one killed, dozens injured.

Security continued to improve in Bangui though criminality remained high, particularly in capital’s north; MINUSCA, Sangaris and national forces conducted several operations, established checkpoints. UNSC 26 March authorised additional troops for MINUSCA: 750 military personnel, 280 police and twenty corrections officers. FPRC wing of Seleka 10 March asked international forces and govt to stop arrests of rebels after ex-Seleka rebel Mahamat Ousmane detained 9 March. Local consultations ahead of Bangui Forum completed early March; International Contact Group 16 March approved transitional parliament’s draft constitution including provision forbidding armed group leaders from running for elections. EUFOR mission concluded 15 March; EU 16 March launched military advisory mission in CAR (EUMAM) with aim of supporting security sector reform.

Clashes between ex-Seleka and international forces in Bria left six ex-Seleka dead 10 Feb, civilian death toll unknown. Opposition to controversial Kenyan mediation process between some ex-Seleka and anti-balaka factions continued: UN 8 February called for end to Kenyan process; former Presidents Bozize and Djotodia signed “commitment declaration” 21 Feb agreeing to respect July 2014 ceasefire agreement. Sport Minister Armel Sayo, kidnapped 25 Jan, released 10 Feb. Month saw frequent robberies and attacks against NGOs in various towns. Transitional Council 16 Feb began constitution-drafting process.

Formerly secret negotiations between anti-balaka factions led by Kokate and Seleka faction led by Nourredine Adam and Michel Djotodia continued in Nairobi; led to signing 26 Jan of agreement on DDRR, amnesty for all perpetrators of violence, removal of current transitional authorities. Exclusion of CAR transitional authorities and international stakeholders caused resentment; UN, AU refuse to validate deal. In bid to obtain release of leader Andilo, anti-balaka 19 Jan kidnapped French humanitarian and CAR citizen for three days, 20 Jan kidnapped UN staffer, 25 Jan reportedly kidnapped youth and sport minister and leader of “Revolution and Justice” armed group Armel Sayo. New EU one-year military advisory mission (EUMAM RCA) established 19 Jan. In 16 Jan govt reshuffle four ministers left govt, close allies of President Samba-Panza awarded defence, justice portfolios.

MINUSCA initiatives for negotiation and reconciliation eroded by ongoing violence: 28 killed in skirmishes between ex-Seleka and anti-balaka in Mbrès 16 Dec following reconciliation ceremony four days earlier; talks on hold in Gbotobadia, near Bambari, after clashes erupted between ex-Seleka (UPC faction) and anti-balaka 20 Dec. Chairman of Transition Council attacked by ex-Seleka in Bambari 1 Dec. Anti-balaka remain uncontrolled throughout country. Renewed violence in south west: eight civilians killed 23 Dec in Bondoo and Tanga, two killed in Carnot same day following arrest of anti-balaka member. President Samba-Panza early Dec met UNSG Ban, gave speech at UNGA emphasising fight against impunity, rebuilding judiciary. UNSC 9 Dec insisted elections be held before August 2015.

Sporadic clashes in Bangui 13-17 Nov; ex-Seleka fighters blocked two main roads in protest at confinement to camps, protested against relocation outside Bangui, asked for money. Allegations govt gave some CFA4.5mn to protesters to return to Beal camp; anti-balaka in turn demanded financial assistance. Outside capital, anti-balaka obstructed humanitarian aid by establishing checkpoints, confiscating money and other assistance. Split of ex-Seleka into three entities confirmed following 26 Oct establishment of Unité pour la Centrafrique (UPC) composed of Al Khatim rebels and Ali Darass Fulani supporters; Nouredine Adam’s Front Populaire pour la Renaissance en Centrafrique (FPRC) met in Kaga-Bandoro 2 Nov; third faction mostly composed of Gula and ex-Union des Forces Démocratiques pour le Rassemblement (UFDR) fighters gathered in Bria. All expressed willingness to participate in Jan national dialogue forum. International Contact Group met 11 Nov in Bangui, approved delay for presidential and legislative elections to Aug 2015. Former PM Martin Ziguélé 24 Nov declared presidential candidacy for 2015 polls, running on Mouvement pour la Libération du Peuple Centrafricain (MLCP) party platform.

Violence escalated in Bangui as political tensions increased: grenade attack 7 Oct in Gobongo injured 25; anti-balaka mobilised throughout city and alleged assailant, Muslim from PK5 neighbourhood, killed; three killed in protests following day; MINUSCA soldier killed 9 Oct in ambush in PK11; anti-balaka 13-14 Oct looted Ouhango neighbourhood, reprisals left several dead. Delegation sent by Congo Brazzaville president to Bangui 18 Oct called for hastening of transition process. Violence also continued outside capital: ten killed in IDP camp in Bambari 1 Oct following murder of three young Muslims; French “Sangaris” forces clashed with ex-Seleka in Dékoa 10 Oct; sporadic clashes along Cameroon border (see Cameroon). MINUSCA deployment in east continued. Seleka divided between Gula and Fulani factions: Ali Darassa (leader of Fulani fighters) and Al-Khatim 25 Oct created new movement “Unité pour la paix en Centrafrique”; “General Assembly” by other Seleka leaders planned. Samba-Panza increasingly isolated; anti-balaka and Seleka members of govt called for her resignation following disappearance of tranche of Angolan aid; Samba-Panza said embezzlement accusations and 16 Oct National Transitional Council (CNT) investigation were conspiracy to overthrow govt; CNT late Oct dropped investigation. Samba-Panza addressed nation 22 Oct, called for end to impunity, announced creation of new military unit in Bangui.

UN 15 Sept assumed peacekeeping responsibilities: 6,500 troops, 1,000 police and civilian staff already deployed; full contingent of 12,000 troops expected April 2015. Some elements of AU MISCA mission rehatted under UN MINUSCA: elements of Congo-Brazzaville and whole Equatorial Guinea contingent to leave. EU currently discussing possible 3-month extension of EUFOR. ICC Prosecutor 24 Sept announced opening of investigation into crimes committed in CAR since 2012. 256 ex-Seleka fighters stationed in RDOT camp, Bangui, relocated 5 Sept. Divisions in ex-Seleka coalition deepened: exclusion of high rank officials; three Fulani and Arabic commanders formally left ex-Seleka, announced new movement. Manifest of new armed group Front national de libération du territoire d’Azandé (FNLA) published 10 Sept, said willing to join Seleka rebels. Deputy coordinator of anti-balaka 25 Sept announced coming transformation of movement into political party. Tensions over Mahamat Kamoun’s appointment as PM continued; appointment unpopular with France, Congo-Brazzaville. President Samba Panza 6 Sept met with President Obiang; 10 Sept with President Dos Santos in attempt to rally support; Angola gave money and vehicles.

Regional summit held 21-23 July in Brazzaville; ended with ceasefire agreement but no disarmament plan; several stakeholders boycotted including Seleka delegation led by Daffhane, third-in-command, who only attended first day morning session. Seleka, renamed “Front populaire pour la re- naissance de la Centrafrique” following 10 July meeting in Birao, remains divided; anti-balaka also divided, disorganised, casting doubt on representativeness of delegation at Brazzaville. Both groups exerting increasing control over territories; reports traders visiting anti-balaka-held Carnot/Berbérati diamond fields. Inter- communal tensions continued, particularly along unofficial frontline: Muslim fighters 7 July attacked cathedral sheltering refugees in Bambari, at least 26 killed; grenade thrown at mosque in Paoua, north-west, where new armed group Revolu- tion & Justice seeking to  assert control. Seleka fighters attacked in Batangafo, north, 30 July; attackers reportedly anti-balaka or former anti-balaka.