This event was co-hosted with the United States Institute of Peace.

About the Event

In December 2020, the Central African Republic’s (CAR) fragile peace agreement came under threat from a new configuration of armed groups that emerged shortly before President Touadera’s contested re-election. This re-inflamed CAR’s nearly decade-long conflict, threatening major cities and towns in a country where 25 percent of the population is displaced. Although the Central African Armed Forces and their allies have been able to stabilize parts of the country, violence continues to impact civilians — particularly in the East — and there are indications that space for political dissent is closing.

The National Endowment for Democracy and USIP hosted a conversation with civil society leaders on the prospects for peace and democracy in CAR. The discussion will assess recent peace and dialogue processes as well as offer recommendations for how the international community can support democracy in CAR — particularly in the lead up to local elections this September, the first in CAR in more than 30 years.

About the Speakers

Elizabeth Murray, introductory remarks
Senior Program Officer, Africa, U.S. Institute of Peace

Kessy Martine Ekomo-Soignet 
Youth Activist and Founder, URU

Rhosyns Ngatondang Zalang 
President, Association Jeunesse en Marche pour le Developpement en RCA

Abdel Nour 
Vice President, Islamic Youth of CAR

Hans de Marie Heungoup 
Senior Analyst, Central Africa, International Crisis Group

Valéry Nadjibe, moderator 
Program Officer, Central Africa, National Endowment for Democracy

Event Image courtesy of USIP: Police on the streets of Bangui, Central African Republic, on April 28, 2019. (Ashley Gilbertson/The New York Times)