Violence increased with around 10 reportedly killed during month in clashes in Bangui and at least 11 Bozizé supporters killed 20 Aug during disarmament operation in Boy-Rabe. Reports former Seleka fighters looting, killing in NW, including executing 8 farmers 28 Aug. UN reported over 5,000 fled Boeing district, sought refuge in Bangui airport, under control of regional peacekeepers, following abuses by former Seleka fighters. French President Hollande 27 Aug called on UNSC and AU to help stabilise country, warned CAR on “verge of Somalisation”. UN officials 14 Aug briefed UNSC on situation in CAR, confirmed no rule of law, humanitarian disaster; UN envoy to CAR Babacar Gaye warned “country runs risk of descending into anarchy and chaos”. UNSC called for increased aid, said human rights component of UN peacekeeping mission to be increased. Former Seleka rebel leader Michel Djotodia formally sworn in as interim president 18 Aug, marking beginning of 18-month transition period; cabinet reshuffled early Aug, Transitional Constitutional Court established 16 Aug. Seleka increasingly fractured: Gen Nourredin Adam, second-in-command, replaced as Minister of Security by Josue Binoua, former Bozizé supporter, 27 Aug; Gen Hakouma Arda reportedly arrested 26 Aug. Deposed former president Bozizé mid-Aug announced formation of new movement “FROCCA”, 10 Aug announced willingness to retake power by force, accused Chad of engineering 23 March coup.

International Contact Group met in Addis Ababa 8 July; PM Tiangaye requested additional support from AU and international community; AU emphasised importance of elections preparations for smooth transition, promised additional 3,600 troops within renewed MICOPAX called MISCA. Disarmament operations continued but core of rebel Seleka fighters remain in Bangui. UN humanitarian Chief Amos visited 12 July, said security remains major concern. President Djotodia 15 July said “security has returned” despite ongoing reports of rights violations; rights group FIDH mid-July reported extensive violations including rape, forced disappearances, use of child soldiers. UN peacekeeping office BINUCA condemned reported torture, extrajudicial execution. Humanitarian emergency continued: UNHCR expressed extreme concern for over 200,000 IDPs and  20,000 refugees. Djotodia 26 July announced creation of new Republican Army of Central Africa Republic (ARC) comprising old armed forces and ex-Seleka members.

Public prosecutor 31 May announced arrest warrant for former president Bozizé for crimes against humanity, incitement to genocide. PM Tiangaye 14 May met UNSG Ban, requested UN peacekeeping force. UN SRSG Margaret Vogt 15 May said neutral security force needed, asked UNSC to adopt individual sanctions against Seleka rebels for gross rights violations. Regional states reaffirmed desire to strengthen MICOPAX peacekeeping force to 200 at International Contact Group meeting and ECCAS Chiefs of Staff meeting. 200 Seleka rebel fighters relocated to central town Bria 13 May as part of operation to resettle fighters outside Bangui. Transitional National Council 23 May adopted new electoral code. CAR suspended from Kimberley Process 10 May.

Security significantly deteriorated in Bangui following 24 March coup by rebel group Seleka toppling Bozizé regime as capital experienced bank robberies, killings, and systematic looting of private houses and ministries; at least 130 people reportedly killed by Seleka in Bangui since coup. Regional leaders 3 April met in Chad, called for new transitional body to be established and elections to be held within 18 months. South Africa withdrew troops from CAR. Seleka leader Michel Djotodia elected interim president 13 April by new national transitional council. Regional summit in N’Djamena 18 April recognised Djotodia as transitional head of govt, re-launched Libreville agreement steering committee, and resolved to quadruple regional peacekeeping force in CAR to 2,000 troops. PM Tiangaye late April visited Brussels, Paris and Pretoria in effort to raise funds, end CAR isolation and rebuild diplomatic contacts; South African president Zuma 29 April said South Africa supports transitional govt.

Seleka rebel coalition 24 March seized capital Bangui and overthrew President Bozizé’s regime, following repeated violations of ceasefire throughout month; Bangui remains tense with fears factions of fragmented Seleka coalition could decide to continue armed struggle. Rebels 18 March detained 5 Seleka leaders acting as ministers in new cabinet. As rebels advanced on Bangui, 13 South African soldiers reinforcing CAR troops in Bangui reportedly killed; South African President Zuma said troops to remain in CAR, would possibly be reinforced; France deployed 300 additional troops to secure airport, protect French citizens. Reported govt helicopter attack killed several regional peacekeepers 23 March. President Bozizé fled to Cameroon; widespread looting reported across Bangui in wake of coup. Seleka statement 24 March said PM, power-sharing govt would remain in place and Jan Libreville agreement would be respected; rebel leader Michel Djotodia 25 March proclaimed himself president, suspended constitution and National Assembly, announced he would rule by decree, 30 March said he would preside over 3-year transition; army chiefs 28 March pledged allegiance to Djotodia. Djotodia 31 March named new caretaker govt comprised of rebels and opposition; appointed himself as defence minister. AU suspended CAR 25 March, imposed sanctions on leaders of Seleka; U.S. 30 March condemned seizure of power. UNSC 25 March called for humanitarian access, parties to refrain from violence against civilians; Red Cross 30 March said some 78 bodies found in streets since rebel takeover.

New transitional govt sworn in 3 Feb following several days of negotiations: strategic foreign, justice and security ministries remain under control of President Bozizé ’s party; Seleka rebel group leader Michel Djotodia named defence minister. Rebels 25 Feb threatened to resume fighting if Bozizé fails to implement Jan Libreville peace agreement. NGOs, UN mid-month reported ongoing violence, displacement in areas under Seleka control including Bambari town and Mobaye, from which some 10,000 reportedly fled 7-13 Feb. Confinement of rebels to barracks scheduled to begin 24 Feb delayed due to logistics, dissent within Seleka. Bozizé 14 Feb met with Chad President Deby on sidelines of Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) summit (see Chad), discussed security in CAR.

Seleka rebel movement and President Bozizé 11 Jan agreed to ceasefire, formation of unity govt and legislative elections within 1 year at Libreville peace talks that began 9 Jan; Bozizé 17 Jan named Nicolas Tiangaye, leader of Republican Convention for Social Progress, as new PM until 2016, following his nomination by democratic opposition. Bozizé same day proposed ministerial redistribution: Seleka rebels and democratic opposition given 5 positions each, civil society and other politico-military groups 4 each, 12 positions awarded to presidential majority. PM Tiangaye late Jan denounced attacks committed by Seleka elements in Kembe and Dimbi; Seleka’s spokesperson said perpetrators will be sanctioned. UNSC 24 Jan welcomed ceasefire, extended peacekeeping mandate to 31 Jan 2014.

Resurgence of rebel activity in north under new Seleka coalition early Dec threatened Bozizé regime. Rebels made swift gains in north and east: 11 Dec captured Ndele town, 18 Dec seized central mining town Bria, 29 Dec seized Sibut, 114 miles from capital Bangui; rebels currently control approximately a third of country. Estimated 400 Chadian soldiers deployed 18 Dec in Sibut and Damara cities to contain rebels, prevent fall of Bangui. Rebels 26 Dec called on troops to stand down, said did not intend to march on capital, but later warned they may enter Bangui, despite 28 Dec agreeing to talks with govt starting early Jan. Regional presidents 21 Dec met with President Bozizé, called for deployment of regional peacekeepers, negotiations under aegis of regional organisation (ECCAS); ECCAS 29 Dec announced deployment of additional troops. AU chair Boni set to discuss crisis with Bozizé end-month. UN late month began evacuation of staff, U.S. evacuated embassy and urged citizens to leave. Bozizé 27 Dec appealed for U.S., French intervention. Hundreds late Dec demonstrated, stoned French embassy, criticised France for failing to intervene; French president Hollande said French military will protect embassy and French citizens, will not interfere in domestic affairs.

Abuses by armed groups near Kabo town in north throughout month, and 27 Nov fights between CAR army and rebels in which several soldiers killed, confirmed nascent rebellion. Ouaka governor shot, seriously wounded 24 Nov near Sibut by unidentified men; disarmament process in NE remains stalled. Faction of UFDR threatened attack on Ndele, NE. Policeman, 2 others killed 13 Nov in attack by armed men in Libi, north of Bangui.

Public prosecutor 18 Oct said 3 arrested,charged with planning coup. Authorities began repatriating Popular Front for Recovery (FPR) rebels to Chad early Oct. 2 Chinese road workers abducted late Sept by unidentified rebels on Garoua Boulai-Bouar road released.