The crisis in CAR: navigating myths and interests

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Periodical article

Title:	The crisis in CAR: navigating myths and interests
Authors:	Käihkö, Ilmari Utas, Mats
Year:	2014
Periodical:	Afrika Spectrum (ISSN 0002-0397)
Volume:	49
Issue:	1
Pages:	69-77
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Central African Republic
Subjects:	civil wars political conflicts international relations international politics
External link:	https://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/giga/afsp/article/view/715
Abstract:	'Anarchy', 'religious war', 'genocide' and, recently, 'cannibalism' - these are some of the most commonly used words in Western news media when referring to the crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), at least since the takeover of power by the rebel coalition Séléka in March 2013. In the context of these media stereotypes, the article unravels some of the complexities that have arisen in the CAR conflict since the fall of the Bozizé regime and the Séléka takeover. The authors show how international actors have been pivotal in shaping the current crisis in the country. In order to help steer CAR out of its predicament, they discuss how important it is that international peacekeeping operations, policymakers and diplomats understand not only the situation on the ground but also the close ties major groups in CAR have with various regional and other international actors. If context awareness remains scant, there is a serious risk that their activities will at best be suboptimal and at worst aid in fuelling the crisis. Bibliogr., sum. in English and German. [Journal abstract]