France 24 reported on 6 April 2021 that one of the most powerful rebel groups, Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC), has decided to
leave the rebel alliance Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), which is aiming to unseat President Touadĩra. In a statement on 5 April, the group"s leader, Ali Darassa, said that since the electoral crisis, the population has suffered terribly from insecurity, the health situation, famine and the lack of humanitarian assistance. The UPC also reiterated its commitment to the Khartoum Accord process.
Yonas Dembele, World Watch Research analyst, comments: "Tensions have been high in CAR since the December 2020 election. In mid-December, just over a week before presidential and legislative elections took place, the CPC was formed by bringing together the six major armed groups controlling much of the country"s territory in order to launch an offensive against President Touadĩra. Former President Bozizĩ, who voiced support for the CPC in December while calling for a boycott of the elections, denied allegations of heading the group. However, in February 2021, Bozizĩ agreed to become "general coordinator" of the CPC. The withdrawal of one of the most powerful groups from the CPC may well cause the whole coalition to crumble."
Yonas Dembele continues: "The CPC suffered a further blow when the leader of another of the powerful rebel groups, "˜Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R), died after being wounded in an attack in‚ November 2020. If the coalition does collapse and the rebel groups recommit to the peace process, it will hopefully provide much respite to both Muslim and Christian civilians who have been ravaged by years of conflict. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen what will become of the coalition following the withdrawal of the UPC."
