Why did violence continue after the Central African Republic returned to an elected government in 2016?

Following the transition to a democratically elected government in 2016, violence persisted in the Central African Republic primarily because the state lacked effective control over much of its territory.12

Several key factors contributed to this ongoing instability:

• Armed Group Competition: Various armed groups continued to clash as they battled for control over territory and valuable natural resources.12
• Sectarian and Communal Violence: Tensions between different groups led to an increase in sectarian and communal violence, which frequently targeted civilians.12
• External Actors: The country faced continued threats from outside forces, such as the Lord’s Resistance Army, which continued to abduct and kill civilians.12
• Limited State Authority: Despite the new administration's commitment to disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and repatriation (DDRR) programs, the government struggled to implement these initiatives effectively or maintain order across the nation.12

As a result of this persistent insecurity, a significant portion of the population remained displaced, and many continued to face humanitarian crises.12