First round presidential, legislative elections took place 23 Jan without major incident. Ahead of vote President Bozizé 13 Jan appointed 6 rebel leaders as disarmament advisers. No opposition boycott despite memo signed 4 Jan by 4 of 5 presidential candidates alleging biased election commission CEMI, violations of electoral code and lack of freedom of movement due to presence of armed groups. Ahead of official announcement of results 3 candidates 25 Jan declared rejection of results, demanded presidential vote be annulled. International observers reported process acceptable despite organisational problems, minor irregularities. Opposition commissioners on CEMI resigned 27 Jan denouncing irregularities.

Rebel Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) 24 Nov attacked Birao, key town in NE Vakaga prefecture, forcing govt troops to retreat; at least 4 soldiers, 2 civilians killed. Rebels occupied town as well as nearby airbase formerly controlled by MINURCAT until mission’s 9 Nov withdrawal from area. Supporting CAR govt, Chad 25 Nov conducted airstrikes in area surrounding Birao. Govt 26 Nov claimed army had retaken town, CPJP 30 Nov said Chadian troops forced rebels to evacuate. After election commission (CEI) Oct brought forward to 8 Nov deadline for candidate applications for 23 Jan 2011 presidential election, 4 candidates applied in time, including incumbent President Bozizé and former president Ange-Felix Patassé. After opposition protest, Bozizé asked CEI to reopen process; CEI 18 Nov accepted candidacies of main opposition MLPC leader Martin Ziguélé and RDC’s Raymond Nakombo. International Criminal Court (ICC) 22 Nov commenced trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba, former Congolese VP and leader of rebel group turned political party Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC), charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes for alleged failure to prevent his forces’ violence against civilians 2002-2003 during Bozizé rebellion against Patassé.

Voter registration for 23 Jan 2011 presidential election continued beyond scheduled 21 Oct end date; opposition 26 Oct rejected electoral commission president’s unilateral change to timetable. Reports emerged 30 Oct claiming rebel Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) 29 Oct abducted 21 election commission officials near Birao. Low intensity rebel/bandit insecurity persisted throughout month: army 4 Oct pushed CPJP rebels from Yalinga, E Haute- Kotto; rebels 16 Oct attacked Ippy, Ouaka; insecurity continued near Bria, Haute-Kotto. Ugandan LRA fighters continued attacks in NE and SE, including 10 Oct abduction of at least 5 girls from Birao. 5 killed in 6 Oct clash between LRA and Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) allied to govt. UNHCR 15 Oct stated LRA’s “campaign of terror” against civilians intensified since Sept causing new displacement. At 13-15 Oct AU meeting in Bangui 4 LRA-affected countries agreed to form joint military force to pursue LRA and appoint AU special envoy for LRA issues. International Criminal Court appeals panel 19 Oct rejected former Congolese rebel leader and DRC VP Jean- Pierre Bemba’s bid to have charges against him dismissed; Bemba’s trial, for crimes committed in CAR 2002-2003 by his Movement for the Liberation of Congo, to start 22 Nov.

Preparations ongoing for Jan 2011 presidential, parliamentary elections; voter registration began slowly 22 Sept. UNSG Ban 20 Sept called on regional, international partners to provide aid to consolidate fragile peace gains, prevent resumption of conflict. Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) rebels mid-month took control of Yalinga, E Haute-Kotto. Ugandan LRA carried out several attacks early, late month on villages in north east; attacks included burning estimated 100 houses in Ouanda Djalle. Former rebel Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) - authorised by govt since 2007 to secure specified zone - FACA and self-defence groups fell into LRA ambush 11 Sept; 2 UFDR killed, 7 wounded.

President Bozizé 30 July postponed first round of presidential election due to insecurity and lack of funding from international community. Opposition parties and former rebel groups 11 Aug formally approved new date, 23 Jan 2011, with second round in March; international donors claim timeframe unrealistic, question long gap between first and second rounds. UNSC consultations on MINURCAT 10 Aug: FM Antoine Gambi warned MINURCAT withdrawal would have harmful consequences; SG Ban noted earlier request from President Bozizé to assist with strengthening security forces, recommended UN focus on helping build state security capacity. CPJP claimed responsibility for 30 Aug attack on army base, SE Mbomou. Human Rights Watch 11 Aug released report detailing ongoing LRA atrocities in CAR and DRC (see Uganda). Defence minister Jean-Francis Bozizé 18 Aug pledged to capture LRA leader Joseph Kony with help from Uganda, U.S. and France. U.S. deployed 19 soldiers to Obo, SE, France pledged technical assistance for army.

CPJP rebels and MLCJ dissidents attacked Birao in NE 19 July; targeted army base, looted NGO compound. Army says 13 attackers, 1 soldier killed. Poachers killed 6 presidential guards in ambush 8-9 July near Bassangoa. UNDP 13 July began verification of ex-combatant lists for DDR in northwest. Visiting CAR 9-10 July, UN Rep for IDPs Kaelin said return of 200,000 IDPs vital to peace. LRA attacked Madabazouma village in southeast 4 July, killed 5, kidnapped 7. President Bozize ended election calendar uncertainty in 30 July decree scheduling presidential and parliamentary elections for 23 Jan 2011.

President Bozizé remained in office after late May mandate extension. In 10 June address Bozizé rejected calls for unity govt until polls; said committed to prompt elections, blamed postponements on opposition and international community. Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) 17 June proposed 24 Oct for first round of presidential and legislative elections. Bozizé yet to endorse new date by decree. Opposition leader Ziguélé said ready to participate in Oct vote if major obstacles including rebel disarmament, technical problems overcome. Local firm contracted to review voter roll reportedly held back lists 13 June demanding IEC settle outstanding payments. UNSC 28 June called for realistic elections schedule, stressed importance of DDR process. After early month skirmishes with army, rebel group CPJP 2 June announced intention to negotiate with govt.

Constitutional Court 28 May validated constitutional amendment allowing extension of president’s mandate, adopted 10 May by parliament; amendment allows only PM, appointed by president, to request mandate extension; though criticised by opposition, only 6 of 27 opposition members voted against bill. Head of MPLC (opposition) Martin Ziguélé 8 May prevented from leaving country amid opposition calls for political deal instead of constitutional change. Police reported 50,000 marched 19 May in support of President Bozizé in capital. Presidential guards 20 May reportedly forced way into home of presidential candidate and ex-Minister of Regional Development Marie Reine Hassen; Hassen left minister post 2009 after death threats. Numerous LRA attacks in region (see Uganda).

President Bozizé 29 Apr announced postponement of elections without naming new date; opposition parties UFVN, MLPC, RDC, CFC 7 Apr had announced boycott unless delay to ensure completion of DDR, revision of voter lists; CFC suggested Jan 2011, said prepared to accept extension of Bozizé’s mandate. Bozizé and predecessor Patassé, currently only presidential candidates, 9 Apr reached “consensus” on elections; Patassé reportedly agreed to mediate with other parties. Electoral commission 14 Apr began revision of electoral lists; access hindered in many regions by armed groups, including APRD rebels. French declarations advising not to delay elections and giving implicit support to Bozizé criticised by local and French opposition parties. CPJP rebels 2-3 Apr occupied Ndélé (N East), demanded negotiations with govt and inquiry into death of leader Charles Massi. OCHA 29 Apr reported 400 fled to DRC after recent LRA attacks.

President Bozizé 27 March accepted postponement of elections planned for 25 Apr, asked electoral commission (IEC) to set new date and 30 March decreed elections would take place 16 May. Followed increased international pressure for delay: UN, U.S., EU, French representatives in Bangui 17 March said Apr elections could not meet international standards, called for postponement and greater transparency in IEC. President Bozizé confirmed candidacy 15 March; IEC opened voter registration next day. Security minister 13 March said govt had averted plot to overthrow Bozizé, hinted at ex-president Patassé’s involvement; Patassé strongly denied. After Feb hiatus, DDR campaign resumed following negotiations between govt and APRD armed group. 20 killed in 19 March clashes between Chadian herdsmen and local farmers in Batangafo. Suspected LRA attacks continued in south east: reports at least 25 killed and 40 abducted in 3 attacks from 20 March.