Central African Republic (CAR): Touadĩra sworn in as president

As reported by Reuters on 30 March 2021, Faustin-Archange Touadƒ©ra was sworn in for a second five-year term as president of CAR on 30 March. He has vowed to eliminate armed groups and attract investment to the gold- and diamond-rich country which has been wracked by prolonged political instability. Touadƒ©ra, 63, was re-elected in a December 2020 vote that was disrupted by militia attacks on major cities. The country has not recovered stability since a 2013 rebellion ousted former President Francois Bozizƒ©. Yonas Dembele, World Watch Research (WWR) analyst comments: "CAR is a predominantly Christian country; according to World Christian database estimates published in WWR"s Full Country Dossier (WWR, March 2021, p.9) Christians make up 75% of the population. However, the nation has been plagued by sectarian violence since 2013 and at least 70% of its territory is under the control of various militant groups; both the government and UN peacekeepers have very little control in most parts of the country. As the instability continues, the situation is becoming increasingly complex for Christians who have been primarily targeted by armed groups and caught up in the violence. President Touadera has vowed to rid the country of non-governmental‚  armed groups by the end of his tenure. This is commendable and, if he is able to keep to his promise, the ensuing stability would bring relief for the Christian community as persecution by jihadist groups would cease."