Coalition of Patriots for Change

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Coalition of Patriots for Change
Coalition des patriotes pour le changement
LeadersFrançois Bozizé
Dates of operation2020–present
Merger of
HeadquartersBossangoa, Ouham (2020 – February 2021)
Markounda, Ouham (February 2021)[1]
Kabo, Ouham (March 2021–April 2021)[2]
Koumra, Chad (June 2021)[3]
N'Djamena, Chad (since July 2021)[4]
Active regionsCentral African Republic
OpponentsCentral African Republic FACA
United Nations MINUSCA
 Russia
 Rwanda
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/DEBOUTCPC/

The Coalition of Patriots for Change (French: Coalition des patriotes pour le changement; CPC) is a coalition of major rebel groups in the Central African Republic created in 2020 to disrupt the 2020–21 Central African general election.[5][6]

Background[edit]

On 3 December 2020, the Constitutional Court of the Central African Republic rejected the candidature of former president François Bozizé in the upcoming presidential elections.[7] On 4 December, François Bozizé met with Mahamat al-Khatim, leader of the Central African Patriotic Movement (MPC), in Kaga-Bandoro before leaving for his stronghold, Bossangoa.[8]

History[edit]

Situation in Central African Republic on 3 January 2021 at height of CPC control

On 15 December 2020, major rebel groups in the Central African Republic including Anti-balaka, UPC, FPRC, 3R and MPC created a coalition.[9] Since then, the group seized many towns including Yaloke and Bossembele.[10] Bambari was temporarily seized by rebels.[11] On 25 December, rebels killed three peacekeepers in Dekoa and Bakouma.[12] Due to rebel attacks, elections did not take place in many areas of the country. Some 800 of the country's polling stations, 14% of the total, were closed due to violence,[13] and during the first round, voting was unable to take place in 29 of the 71 sub-prefectures, while six others only managed to partially vote before being shut down due to voter intimidation.[14] On 15 January, rebels attacked Bangui killing one peacekeeper before being repelled by international forces.[15] On 21 March, the coalition announced that Bozizé had become the group's "general coordinator".[16] On 6 April UPC reportedly left Coalition of Patriots for Change,[17] but officially rejoined in early December 2021.[18]

References[edit]

  1. ^ RCA : reprise de la ville de Bossangoa par les FACA, les rebelles se retirent Archived 25 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine, 24 February 2021
  2. ^ Centrafrique: l’ancien président Bozizé vu à Kabo dans le Nord ? Archived 1 March 2021 at the Wayback Machine, 1 March 2021
  3. ^ RCA: gravement malade, le chef rebelle François Bozizé se soigne à Koumra au Tchad Archived 10 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine, 8 June 2021
  4. ^ François Bozizé et d'autres chefs rebelles centrafricains se trouvent à Ndjamena, 7 November 2021
  5. ^ "CAR says ex-president attempting 'coup' as rebels form coalition". 19 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  6. ^ "François Bozizé: CAR accuses former president of 'attempted coup'". BBC.co.uk/News. BBC. 19 December 2020. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  7. ^ "RCA : présidentielle du 27 décembre, la Cour Constitutionnelle publie la liste définitive des candidats". 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  8. ^ "RCA : retranchement de l'ancien Président François Bozizé à Bossangoa, des rumeurs de coup d'État enflent à Bangui". 14 December 2020. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Centrafrique : la Déclaration des Groupes armés qui sonne le glas du régime de Bangui". 17 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  10. ^ "RCA : inquiétude à Bangui, la ville de Bossembélé serait tombée aux mains des rebelles". 18 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  11. ^ "RCA : retour au calme à Bambari après le départ des rebelles". 23 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  12. ^ "RCA : la coalition rebelle rompt son cessez-le-feu, trois Casques bleus tués". 25 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  13. ^ "CAR violence forced closure of 800 polling stations: Commission". Al Jazeera. 28 December 2020. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Central African Republic opposition coalition demands elections be scrapped". eNCA. Agence France-Presse. 30 December 2020. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  15. ^ "UN peacekeeper killed in Central African Republic". 16 January 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  16. ^ "CAR ex-President François Bozizé takes charge of rebel alliance". 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  17. ^ RCA: UPC d’Ali Darassa, le groupe rebelle radical quitte la CPC Archived 20 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine, 6 April 2021
  18. ^ Centrafrique : la rébellion de la CPC en ordre de bataille, 12 December 2021