HistoryData
war2004

2004–2007 war after President François Bozizé came to power

November 23, 2004

A civil conflict in the Central African Republic pitting government forces against multiple rebel groups, displacing around 10,000 people and requiring peace agreements spanning 2007–2012.

Quick Facts

Year
2004
Category
war

Key Facts

Duration
2004 to 2007
Displaced persons
~10,000 people
Primary rebel group
Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR)
Key peace accord
Global Peace Accord, Libreville, 21 June 2008
Final peace agreement
CPJP agreement signed 25 August 2012

By the Numbers

2,004
Duration
10,000people
Displaced persons
21
Key peace accord
25
Final peace agreement

Location

Map of Central African RepublicMap of Central African RepublicCentral African Republic

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

François Bozizé seized the presidency of the Central African Republic in 2003, triggering opposition from armed factions. This power takeover delegitimized his rule in the eyes of multiple rebel groups, setting the stage for armed resistance that materialized into open fighting by 2004.

Event

From 2004 to 2007, government forces fought a coalition of rebel groups led principally by the UFDR, with additional participation from the APRD, GAPLC, MLCJ, FDC, and UFR. The conflict spread across the country and involved numerous small, late-forming factions, creating a fragmented insurgency that proved difficult to resolve through a single negotiation.

Consequence

A series of peace agreements between 2007 and 2012 gradually ended hostilities. The Global Peace Accord of June 2008 granted amnesty for acts against the state and initiated disarmament and demobilization. Remaining groups acceded later, with the last major holdout, the CPJP, signing a peace deal in August 2012.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Central African Republic Government Forces
Key Commanders

François Bozizé.

Side B

4 belligerents

Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR)People's Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD)Union of Republican Forces (UFR)CPJP
Outcome
Series of peace agreements (2007–2012) ended the conflict; rebels granted amnesty and integrated into society and regular armed forces.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 200420042001200220032005200620072004 AFC Asian Cup — football tournamentAthletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics — competition at the 2004 Summer OlympicsUEFA Euro 2004 — 12th European association football championship2004 Summer Olympics — Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, in Athens, GreeceEurovision Song Contest 2004 — 49th edition of the Eurovision Song ContestCopa América 2004 — 2004 edition of the Copa América association football competition2004 Formula One World Championship — 58th season of FIA Formula One motor racingBasketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics — Competitive event at the 2004 Summer Olympic Gamescentral-african-republic-bush-war-2004