Country report and updates: Central African Republic

In the Central African Republic, a former French colony, several armed groups are fighting each other. On 15 April 1998, French troops, who were supposed to be a peace keeping force, were replaced by a 1,400-strong UN peace keeping force MINURCA, with soldiers from seven African countries. Despite a peace agreement, the armed conflict continues to cause deaths. [5]

1 Conscription

conscription exists

According to several sources, there is selective conscription. [2] [3] [4]

military service

It is believed that only civil servants are liable for military service. [1]

Military service lasts for 2 years. After that a reserve obligation applies. [4]

postponement and exemption

It is not known if there are any postponement or exemption regulations.

recruitment

Just how the recruitment of civil servants takes place is not known.

2 Conscientious objection

There is no known legal provision for conscientious objection.

3 Draft evasion and desertion

No information about this is available.

4 Recruitment by armed insurgent groups

There are several armed groups in the Central African Republic, but about their recruitment practices nothing is known.

6 Annual statistics

The armed forces comprise 4,950 troops, including a 2,300 strong Gendarmerie. They form just over 0.1 percent of the population. [4]

Every year approximately 33,000 men reach the age of 18. [4]

Sources

[1] Eide, A., C. Mubanga-Chipoya 1985. Conscientious objection to military service, report prepared in pursuance of resolutions 14 (XXXIV) and 1982/30 of the Sub-Commission of Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. United Nations, New York. [2] Guinness World Fact Book. Guinness Publishing, London, 1994. [3] UN Commission on Human Rights 1997. The question of conscientious objection to military service, report of the Secretary-General prepared pursuant to Commission resolution 1995/83. United Nations, Geneva. [4] Institute for Strategic Studies 1997. Military Balance 1997/98. ISS, London, UK. [5] NRC Handelsblad (Dutch newspaper), 16 April 1998.