Republic of Logone
  • République de Logone (French)
Flag of Logone
Territories claimed by Logone
Territories claimed by Logone
StatusUnrecognized proto-state
CapitalKaga-Bandoro[1][2]
Largest cityBria
Common languagesFrench · Arabic · Sango
GovernmentRepublic
History 
• Independence declaration from the Central African Republic
14 December 2015
Area
• Total
217,101 km2 (83,823 sq mi)
Population
• 2003 census
297,861
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)

The Republic of Logone (French: République de Logone),[3] also known as Dar al-Kuti (French: Dar el-Kouti),[4] was a partially-realized, self-declared autonomous region and proto-state internationally recognised as part of the Central African Republic. It was formed by the Muslim rebel movement Popular Front for the Rebirth of Central African Republic (FPRC) with support of other armed groups on 14 December 2015.[5][6]

Background

Islam is a minority religion in the Central African Republic, practiced by approximately 15% of the population in 2012, with 85% of the population of practicing Christianity.[3]

In March 2013, during the Central African Republic Civil War which began a year earlier, the Muslim Séléka rebels forced the Christian president of the Central African Republic François Bozizé from his office, resulting in violence from the Christian anti-balaka militias. The UN sent in MINUSCA troops and scheduled a constitutional referendum for 13 December 2015 and national elections on 27 December in order to stabilize the country.[7] However, Noureddine Adam, the leader of the Popular Front for the Rebirth of Central African Republic (FPRC), one of the four Muslim Séléka militias, abstained from the scheduled elections. In his view, Muslims and Christians could no longer live together in one country.[2][8]

History

Situation in Central African Republic in March 2023

On 14 December 2015, Adam's spokesman, Maouloud Moussa, declared the autonomous Republic of Logone in the northeast of the country. He explained that they wanted first to achieve autonomy within the Central African Republic and eventually absolute independence.[9] Later, it was announced that the name of the new republic would be "Dar al-Kuti" after the historic Dar al-Kuti sultanate.

Louisa Lombard, a professor of anthropology at the Yale University, explained that it is possible that declaration of a new republic was a negotiating tactic for upcoming elections or a method for increasing influence, and that the rebels did not really believe that it is feasible to create a new state.[10]

Besides FPRC the independence of Republic of Logone has been supported by MPC, RPRC and MLCJ armed groups.[4]

On 10 April 2021, Kaga-Bandoro was recaptured by government forces.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Central African Republic: January 2016 Monthly Forecast: Security Council Report". Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Muslim rebels declare autonomous state in Central African Republic". The Washington Post. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  3. 1 2 Fouchard, Anthony; André, James (13 July 2016). "Centrafrique: à la rencontre des ex-rebelles putschistes". France 24 (in French).
  4. 1 2 Splintered warfare: Alliances, affiliations, and agendas of armed factions and politicomilitary groups in the Central African Republic, August 2017
  5. ↑ Dembassa-Kette, Crispin. "Rebel declares autonomous state in Central African Republic". af.reuters.com. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017.
  6. ↑ Pike, John. "Seleka". Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  7. ↑ "Voting extended for Central African referendum after violence". Reuters. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  8. ↑ "Rebels in Central African Republic Seek Muslim-Christian States". 16 December 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  9. ↑ "Rebel declares new state in Central African Republic". Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "Central African Republic: CAR Rebel Leader Declares Autonomous State". 16 December 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2017 – via AllAfrica.
  11. ↑ "Centrafrique: l'armée et ses alliés reprennent la ville stratégique de Kaga-Bandoro". fr.news.yahoo.com (in French). Retrieved 12 April 2021.
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