General information
Current Name: Government of Tanzania
Current Name full English: Government of Tanzania
Current Name full native language: n/a
Original Name: Government of Tanzania
Original Name full English: Government of Tanzania
Original Name full native language: n/a
Actor Chronology
This section contains information about (if applicable) group splinters, name changes, and alliances according to the UCDP definitions of these concepts.
UCDP has not recorded any Chronology Activities involving this group.
Conflict issues
Government of Uganda - LRA
Conflict Goal Issues: The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), previously known as HSM II, UHSA, UCDA, and UDCM/A, was a Christian nationalist rebel group fighting against the government of Uganda as part of a divine cause believed to be guided by God to free the world from evil. The group emerged from the Acholi ethnic group, which it claimed to represent throughout its existence, although the group appeared to be more characterized by its Christian faith than its Acholi ethnicity. The group emerged in 1987, during which it stated several conflict goal issues. LRA called for civil-, cultural-, and language rights to be protected through increased national integration through intertribal marriages being promoted. The group also called for education to be provided to all people, and for “rehabilitation of the economy and rehabilitation of the country’s infrastructure”, calling for public services to be provided and economic reform to be implemented. LRA also called for increased power-sharing through incorporating people from Northern Uganda into the government, for elections to be held, for relations with neighboring states to be improved, and for the establishment of an “ethnically balanced army”. Finally, LRA also called for structural changes to the judicial and executive systems through the “creation of a Religious Affairs Ministry to ‘see an end to the use of witchcraft and sorcery by promotion of the Ten Commandments’.” During the same year, the group also called for the establishment of a politically independent judiciary.
As the conflict progressed, calls for changing the judicial system were frequently interpreted and the calls continued to be divided between regarding the establishment of a religious judiciary and an independent judiciary, although emphasis was mostly placed on the religious judiciary based around the ten commandments toward the latter stages of the conflict. Calls for executive power-sharing were made on occasion, although not with much continuity. Foreign policy reform was also raised by LRA, although statements became more focused on preventing Ugandan expansion into neighboring countries than building relations with other countries. Issues pertaining to the rights of citizens and their access to public services were not explicitly stated after 1987. Calls for military reform to become more representative of the people of northern Uganda were frequently interpreted, particularly toward the latter stages of the conflict. LRA also raised several new issues, although only those that were stated with emphasis and continuity will be mentioned here. From 1996 and onwards, the group began frequently and continuously calling for the establishment of multi-party democracy in Uganda. In some cases, particularly toward the end of the conflict, the group called for the federalization of the state to give more power to regional governance structures and ethnic groups. LRA also frequently stated its intentions to oust the sitting governments of Uganda throughout the conflict, although such statements were not interpreted after 2004. This also included several calls for the removal of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his cabinet.
The main conflict goal issues of LRA throughout the conflict was the establishment of a religious judicial system, the ousting of the Ugandan government, and the establishment of a proper multi-party democracy in Uganda. These issues were frequently stated throughout the conflict and were all heavily emphasized in many coded years.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: LRA stated one conflict dynamics issue during 1987, when the group accused the Ugandan army of military misconduct through violating human rights. As the conflict progressed, the issue of military conduct was frequently reemphasized, mainly through using civilians and civilian communities as human shields. The group also accused the military of initiating hostilities and of intentionally targeting Acholi civilians based on their ethnicity. Whilst LRA made numerous statements toward the international community to either support the group through aid, monitoring, and financial and political support, and for the withdrawal of foreign forces, influence, and financial support, the only issue that was continuously stated was the assistance of the international community in providing a third-party mediator to resolve the conflict and issues pertaining to the removal or changing of the mediator. Towards the end of the conflict, LRA made several statements calling for Acholi refugees to be allowed to return to their lands.
The main conflict dynamics issues of LRA were the issues of military misconduct, ethnically motivated atrocities, and the assistance with third-party mediation. The first two issues were central to the group throughout the entire conflict, and the issue of third-party mediation was particularly important towards the end of the conflict. The issue of mediation was also heavily contested, as calls for international assistance with mediation were joined with calls for the removal of appointed and suggested mediators under allegations of bias and corruption.
Conflict Resolution Issues: In 1987, LRA called for national dialogue to be promoted through a national conference being held which would be followed with general elections. This issue was only explicitly reemphasized once, in 2012. Throughout the conflict, the group made several statements calling for negotiations, and stating several demands and conditions for negotiations to be held, with the government. Towards the end of the conflict, these conditions were specifically focused on the presence of third-party mediators and assistance. Sparse statements were also made regarding accountability of military commanders and political figures for atrocities committed during the violence, calls for a general amnesty for its soldiers, and for ceasefires to be implemented.
The main conflict resolution issue of LRA was the issue of negotiations. This issue was continuously stated throughout the conflict with heavy emphasis and was clearly central to the group in attempting to resolve the conflict politically.
Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Basic needs, Change judicial system, Civil rights, Constitutional issues, Corruption, CPS: Democracy, CPS: Other/undefined system, Cultural rights, Destruction of cultural heritage, Economic reforms, Electoral fraud, Electoral reform, Executive power-sharing, Federalism, Foreign policy reform, Freedom of association, Gender rights, Hold elections, Human rights, Land reforms, Language rights, Oust full executive, Oust head of the executive, Public services, Referendum, Reform executive structure, Reform judicial system, Reform parliament, Religious rights, Restriction of children’s rights, Restrictions on religious rights, Restructure military forces, Revenues from natural resources, Security sector power-sharing
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Call for collective targeting: other group, Atrocities and abuses, Call for collective targeting: religious, Collective targeting: ethnic, Collective targeting: political, DFI: Removal of foreign influence, DFI: Removal of foreign mediator, DFI: Withdrawal of humanitarian aid, DFI: Withdrawal of military intervention/foreign forces, DFI: Withdrawal of military support, DFI: Withdrawal of political support, IFI: Financial support, IFI: Foreign mediator, IFI: Humanitarian aid, IFI: International monitoring, IFI: Military support, IFI: Political support, IFI: Recognition, IFI: Use of foreign influence, Military conduct, Return of refugees/IDPs, Revenge/vengeance
Conflict Resolution Issues:
Accountability/prosecution/investigation, Amnesties, Call for ceasefire, Call for negotiations, Compensation/restoration, DDR issues, National dialogue, Opposition to negotiations, Peace agreement implementation, Recognition of wrongdoing, Structure of negotiations, Structure of peace agreement
Government of Mozambique - Renamo
Conflict Goal Issues: Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (RENAMO), sometimes referred to by their English acronym MNR (Mozambique National Resistance), especially in the beginning of the conflict was a rebel group in Mozambique. The group was liberal in ideology principally objecting to the government of Mozambique’s centrally planned economy and what it perceived to be an oppressive regime. The first conflict goal issues located by the project were raised in 1979 and concern the establishment of democracy, reforming the economic system from a planned economy to an open market system, ousting the government, restructuring the military, religious rights, and land reforms. The expressed conflict goal issues changed very little over the course of the conflict. Though new issues were added as the conflict progressed (e.g., constitutional issues) they were generally in line with previously stated issues. Indeed, perhaps most notable was the addition of electoral fraud and opposition to elections as issues, especially as these issues were raised after the 1990 constitutional reform and 1998 election reform. Based upon the coded conflict goal issues, changing the political system into a democratic system was by far the groups most frequently raised issue and was continuously present since the start of the conflict. It was also intensely emphasized, perhaps best exemplified by what followed the clashes between RENAMO and police in spring 2013, and ahead of the upcoming elections which the group intended to boycott. RENAMO then issued a statement, demonstrating their commitment to democracy by declaring “Our struggle for democracy will continue, even if a further sacrifice such as that of the 16 years (the length of the war of destabilisation) is necessary”. It may therefore be seen as the group’s principal conflict goal issue. Other issues that also received frequent attention included ousting the executive branch of the government and restructuring the military forces.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: The first instance of a coded conflict dynamics issue dates back to the group’s first formal program of action in 1979. The group then highlighted the issue of military conduct with a pledge to abolish the governments re-education camps. Military conduct was an issue that RENAMO would continue to raise with some regularity along the adjacent issue of atrocities and abuses. Aside from the aforementioned issues, RENAMO also frequently asked for foreign intervention in the form of mediation or facilitation. As a whole any additional issues were largely similar in nature, compatible with earlier issues and not signifying that the group underwent any major changes. Of the coded issues, three conflict dynamics issues stand out as being particularly frequently raised and more intensely emphasized than others. First, RENAMO frequently alleged that the government committed atrocities and abuses targeting the group. In one such instance, at the death of its founder Orlando Cristina, RENAMO accused “Frelimo agents” of the assassination. RENAMO also frequently emphasized a willingness to invite foreign help, particularly in the form of mediators or facilitators, to aid in resolving the conflict.
Conflict Resolution Issues: 1984 saw the first coded conflict resolution issues. In September the group called for a ceasefire, with the leader of RENAMO, Alfonso Dhlakama, stating “'I have to come South Africa to try to negotiate a cease-fire arrangement with Mozambique”. The group then voiced opposition to negotiations and withdrew in early November stating that the then South African foreign minister Pik Botha was “an unconditional ally of the government of Samora Machel”. RENAMO would make several more calls for ceasefires or negotiations, though they also did voice opposition to such dialogue on several occasions, even flatly refusing an invitation to negotiate by dismissing it as “cynical”. From the issues coded by the project calls for ceasefire and calls for negotiations were the most frequently mentioned issues, persisting and being continually referenced throughout the conflict. Calls for negotiations were also frequently accompanied by demands or request concerning the structure of negotiations in terms location for the meeting or in requesting mediating help from foreign actors.
Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Autonomy, Change economic system, Change of administrative divisions, Civil rights, Constitutional issues, Corruption, CPS: Democracy, Cultural rights, Decentralization, Disband para-military forces, Economic reforms, Electoral fraud, Electoral reform, Executive power-sharing, Executive power-sharing: interim, Freedom of association, Hold elections, Human rights, Independence, Labor rights, Land reforms, Law and order, Opposition to elections, Oust full executive, Public services, Recognition as a political party, Referendum, Reform executive structure, Reform judicial system, Religious rights, Restructure military forces, Restructure police forces, Revenues from natural resources, Rule of law, Security sector power-sharing
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, Collective targeting: political, DFI: Withdrawal of military intervention/foreign forces, IFI: Financial support, IFI: Foreign mediator, IFI: Humanitarian aid, IFI: International court/tribunal/investigation, IFI: International monitoring, IFI: Military intervention/foreign forces, IFI: Recognition, IFI: Use of foreign influence, Military conduct, Release of prisoners, Return of refugees/IDPs
Conflict Resolution Issues: Accountability/prosecution/investigation, Amnesties, Call for ceasefire, Call for implementation/abiding to ceasefire, Call for negotiations, Compensation/restoration, DDR issues, National dialogue, Opposition to negotiations, Peace agreement implementation, Structure of negotiations
Government of DR Congo (Zaire) - BDK
Conflict Goal Issues: Bundu dia Kongo, Union of the Bakongo people/Kingdom of Kongo, (BDK) was a secessionist rebel group fighting for the restoration of areas previously belonging to the Kongo Kingdom from the 15th century to the Bakongo ethnic group, which they believed had legitimate claim to the kingdom and its lands. The group emerged in 1986 aiming to liberate the areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo – Zaire (DR Congo-Zaire). The first interpreted statement from BDK was from 1995, when the group stated its intentions to establish an independent nation in line with the Kongo Kingdom and called for the establishment of a confederation to establish the “United States of Africa”. In 1998, the issue of independence for Kongo from the rest of the DR Congo was reemphasized, calling for “the independence of Kongo provinces from the rest of the country”. When the conflict emerged in 2006, BDK once again reemphasized the issue of independence and also began calling for the government of DR Congo to be overthrown.
As the conflict progressed, BDK raised several new conflict issues. The group continuously reemphasized the issue of independence throughout the entire conflict. BDK began accusing the government of corruption and called for the ousting of the local governor who would be replaced with a “new governor and vice-governor loved by the Kongo people.” Towards the end of the conflict, BDK began heavily emphasizing its intentions to establish a “New Central Africa” which would be a confederation of ancient African states. On singular instances throughout the conflict, the group also called for citizenship reforms, protection of cultural and religious rights, economic reforms, executive power-sharing, elections, ousting of the Congolese leadership, provision of public services, executive and judicial reform, and restrictions on cultural rights of people. These issues were, however, not particularly heavily emphasized.
The main conflict goal issue of BDK was the establishment of an independent state of Kongo in line with historic borders of the Kongo Kingdom. This issue was continuously and frequently stated with heavy emphasis and became a foundational issue for the group influencing many of its other issues.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: In 2006, BDK stated its first conflict dynamics issues when it called for the removal of foreigners from the Boma region. This was directed at non-native people, which likely meant non-Bakongo people from the area.
This issue was not explicitly reemphasized again until the end of the conflict, when statements calling for the removal of non-originals, Rwandans, and others were made in 2016 and 2017. In 2008, the group began accusing the National Police, under the control of the Congolese government, of conducting massacres against members of the group and against civilians. Based on these, BDK called for international investigations and judicial proceedings to be conducted into abuses. The group also stated that its members and supporters were victims of collective targeting due to their political views and adherences.
The main issue for BDK was the issue of removal of foreigners. This issue was prevalent from the beginning to the end of the conflict and was frequently emphasized in communications.
Conflict Resolution Issues: Whilst no conflict resolution issues were interpreted in, or prior to, the first year of conflict, BDK called for negotiations with the government in 2008 and 2017 and called for investigations into alleged massacres in 2017. These were the only interpreted conflict resolution issues expressed by the group, and whilst calls for negotiations were made in two instances, the issue was not heavily emphasized enough for it to be considered a central issue to the group.
Type of conflict issues: The coded conflict issues for this group are: Conflict Goal Issues: Autonomy, Citizenship reforms, Confederation/union, Corruption, CPS: Other/undefined system, Cultural rights, Economic reforms, Electoral fraud, Executive power-sharing, Hold elections, Independence, Oust full executive, Oust head of the executive, Oust local executive, Public services, Reform executive structure, Reform judicial system, Religious rights, Restrictions on cultural rights, Unification of states
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, Collective targeting: political, DFI: Removal of foreigners, IFI: International court/tribunal/investigation
Conflict Resolution Issues:
Accountability/prosecution/investigation, Call for negotiations
Government of DR Congo (Zaire) - APCLS
Conflict Goal Issues: Alliance des patriotes pour un Congo libre et souverain, Alliance of the People for a Free and Sovereign Congo, (APCLS) originally emerged as a militia supporting the government in 2008, although the alliance quickly disappeared in 2012, when the group instead became active in a conflict with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The group was largely made up of people from the Hunde ethnicity and was characterized by anti-refugee and ethnonationalist sentiments. During 2012, the group stated one conflict goal issue, stating its intentions to resist government armed forces (FARDC) and that the group “were fighting to overthrow the government.”
As the conflict progressed, APCLS did not explicitly reiterate its intentions to oust the government of Congo, although similar issues were indicated. In 2013, the group stated its willingness to reintegrate with the FARDC “to fight with them against the forces coming from outside of the country.”, calling for security sector power-sharing. In 2014, APCLS stated its intentions to protect the rights of Congolese people, whilst stating its opposition to recognizing citizenship of ethnic Tutsis in Congo. As no issues were continuously stated for the coded conflict, no main conflict goal issue was interpreted for the group.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: During the year of its emergence, APCLS stated one conflict dynamics issue as the group called for the military to grant the group ammunitions through negotiating a deal with the FARDC.
No issues pertaining to military conduct were explicitly stated by the APCLS for the continued duration of conflict. Instead, the group began calling for the removal of foreign influence and foreign military forces, alluding to another rebel group M23, who had previously been active in Congo but now resided in Rwanda. APCLS also stated its resistance to Rwandans and Westerners who were attempting to divide the DRC. In 2014, the group also stated its goal to protect the Hunde people, and accused South African soldiers, which were placed in Congo as part of a UN stabilization mission, of coming to the country ‘to kill the population, not to protect them’ and that “They [South African forces] killed many civilians when they attacked us.” In 2015, the group reiterated its aims to protect the Hunde people from ethnically motivated violence from “opposing forces, including rapes, abductions, burning of homes, illegal detention, torture, mistreatment, and forced recruitment of children.” The group also called for the removal of Rwandan people and Congolese Tutsis from the DRC.
The main conflict dynamics issues of APCLS was the removal of foreign influence and forces. This issue was continuously stated by the group for large parts of the conflict and was frequently stated with heavy emphasis.
Conflict Resolution Issues: APCLS were interpreted as stating one conflict resolution issue during its existence, when it in 2014 called for negotiations with the government: “if they [the government of DRC] want us to dialogue I am ready as a Congolese national who fights for the rights of my people.”
Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Citizenship reforms, Civil rights, Oust full executive, Restrictions on civil rights, Security sector power-sharing
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, Collective targeting: ethnic, DFI: Removal of foreign influence, DFI: Removal of foreigners, DFI: Withdrawal of military intervention/foreign forces, Military conduct
Conflict Resolution Issues:
Call for negotiations
Government of DR Congo (Zaire) - CNPSC
Conflict Goal Issues: Coalition nationale du peuple pour la souveraineté du Congo, National Coalition of the People for the Sovereignty of the Congo, (CNPSC), originally known as Maï Maï Réformé and later renamed PARC-FAAL, was a Bembe rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The group originally emerged to protect the Bembe ethnic group from Tutsi militants, but later changed its scope to fight for the ousting of the Congolese President Joseph Kabila. Whilst the group was established in 2007, its first conflict goal issue was stated in 2009, when the group called for recognition as a political party aiming to reconstruct and reconcile DR Congo. This issue was reemphasized in 2010 and was joined with calls for potential integration of CNPSC, then Maï Maï Réformé, into the armed forces.
As the conflict against the government of DR Congo emerged, the group reemphasized its willingness to be integrated into the Congolese army. CNPSC, then PARC-FAAL, also continuously called for recognition as a legitimate political party. Towards the end of the coded conflict, the group also began calling for a restructuring of the military forces to incorporate the forces of CNPSC and to purge the Congolese army of its senior officers, claiming that these were Rwandan. The group also called for the establishment of democracy in DR Congo and for elections to be held, for economic reform and labor rights reform, and for the ousting of President Kabila and his cabinet.
The main conflict goal issues of CNPSC were the integration of its armed forces into the Congolese military and for the group to be recognized as a political party. These issues were continuously stated for a large part of the conflict and heavily emphasized, particularly in the beginning of conflict.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Whilst no issues were interpreted in the first few years of CNPSC’s existence, several conflict dynamics issues were raised as the conflict emerged. In the beginning of the conflict, the group stated its mission and actions were to defend local ethnic groups, particularly the Bembe people, from ethnic violence from both government and foreign forces, mainly Tutsi militias. Throughout the conflict, the group also called for the removal of foreign influence, frequently stating that the Congolese executive government and military command was being controlled by the government of Rwanda. On singular instances, the group also called for the release of political prisoners and supporters of the movement, and for the withdrawal of UN peacekeeping forces in DR Congo with claims of them supporting the government.
The main conflict dynamics issue expressed by CNPSC was the removal of Rwandan influence. This issue was continuously stated with heavy emphasis throughout the conflict and became a foundational issue for the group’s existence.
Conflict Resolution Issues: In 2010, CNPSC called upon the government of DR Congo to adhere to peace accords that were signed with the group earlier in the year. In 2014, the group also called for a general amnesty for members of the group and stated his commitment to disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration processes which had been agreed upon with the government.
Type of conflict issues: The coded conflict issues for this group are: Conflict Goal Issues: Corruption, CPS: Democracy, Economic reforms, Hold elections, Labor rights, Oust head of the executive, Recognition as a political party, Restructure military forces, Revenues from natural resources, Security sector power-sharing
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Collective targeting: ethnic, DFI: Removal of foreign influence, DFI: Withdrawal of military intervention/foreign forces, Release of prisoners
Conflict Resolution Issues:
Amnesties, DDR issues, Peace agreement implementation
Government of DR Congo (Zaire) - M23
Conflict Goal Issues: Mouvement du 23-Mars, March 23 Movement (M23), was a Congolese rebel group mostly made up of Tutsis fighting against the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The group emerged in 2012, aiming to establish the agreement of March 23rd, 2009, to a large extent consisting of previous members of CNDP who were not integrated into the Congolese armed forces. During 2012, M23 stated several conflict goal issues. The group called for the ousting of the Congolese government, specifically emphasizing the overthrowing of President Joseph Kabila. The group also accused the government of corruption and electoral fraud and called for electoral reform to be implemented. M23 also called for the establishment of security sector power-sharing and labor rights in accordance with the March 23 agreement which would integrate its forces into the Congolese army. The cultural rights of the Congolese people were also emphasized to protect minority groups from mistreatment, and economic reform was suggested to improve the living conditions of the people. Finally, the group called for the establishment of law and order in Congo.
In its second, and last coded, year of existence, M23 reemphasized accusations of electoral fraud and once again called for the integration of its forces into the Congolese army. The group also called for the ousting of parliament through the dissolution of the Congolese national assembly and for recognition as a political party.
The main conflict goal issues of M23 were the establishment of security sector power-sharing and the accusations of electoral fraud. More than just being stated in both coded years of conflict, these issues were also central to the group as the failed fulfillment of the March 23 agreement was blamed on electoral fraud of the Kabila regime, which is the very cause for the group’s existence.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: M23 stated three conflict dynamics issues in 2012, during which it accused the Congolese government of poor governance and human rights abuses, called for the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to establish a monitoring mission in East Congo, and called for the release of political prisoners detained by the government.
In 2013, the only stated conflict dynamics issue was a call towards the Congolese government to allow refugees to return to their homes. As no issues were interpreted in both 2012 and 2013, no conflict dynamics issue was considered especially central to M23, and no main issue was stated.
Conflict Resolution Issues: In 2012, M23 called for negotiations to be held with the government and for national dialogue to be encouraged and facilitated with “all stakeholders such as lawmakers, civil society groups, M23, to sit down together with Congolese people and talk over issues affecting the country”. The group also called for peace agreement implementation, alluding to the March 23 agreement.
None of these issues were explicitly reemphasized in 2013, although the group stated three new conflict resolution issues. M23 called for a ceasefire with the government and for a total amnesty to be implemented for all members of the group. The group also called for the disarmament of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda FDLR as a precondition for further negotiations to be held.
Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Corruption, CPS: Other/undefined system, Cultural rights, Economic reforms, Electoral fraud, Electoral reform, Labor rights, Law and order, Oust full executive, Oust head of the executive, Oust parliament, Recognition as a political party, Security sector power-sharing
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, IFI: International monitoring, Release of prisoners, Return of refugees/IDPs
Conflict Resolution Issues:
Amnesties, Call for ceasefire, Call for negotiations, DDR issues, National dialogue, Peace agreement implementation
Government of DR Congo (Zaire) - Kata Katanga
Conflict Goal Issues: Kata Katanga, Cut off Katanga, was a separatist rebel group fighting against the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) to establish an independent state of Katanga. The group emerged in 2013, during which it stated several conflict goal issues. The group called for increased autonomy for the Katanga region, citing unequal distribution of natural resource revenues as a main cause. Later in 2013, Kata Katanga increased its demands when fighters of the group marched into the town of Lubumbashi and raised an old flag of independence of Katanga.
In 2014 and 2015, the issue of independence was reemphasized by Kata Katanga, calling for the secession of the province from DR Congo. The issue of independence is also considered the main conflict goal issue of Kata Katanga.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: The project coded no statements from Kata Katanga pertaining to conflict dynamics issues.
Conflict Resolution Issues: The project coded no statements from Kata Katanga pertaining to conflict resolution issues.
Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Autonomy, Independence, Revenues from natural resources
Conflict Dynamics Issues:
Conflict Resolution Issues:
Government of Central African Republic - anti-Balaka
Conflict Goal Issues: Anti-Balaka, anti-sword/anti-machete, was a mostly Christian rebel group in the Central African Republic (CAR). The group consisted of many different sub-groups and emerged as an alliance of several militias and emerged in 2013 following the ousting of former President Francois Bozize in 2013. During the year of its emergence, anti-Balaka called for two conflict goal issues calling for President Michel Djotodia to be removed from office and stated that a government position constituted a precondition for the group’s surrender.
In its second, and final coded, year of existence, the anti-Balaka reiterated its intentions to oust President Djotodia from office. Although the group did not restate intentions to establish executive power-sharing with themselves in government position, issues of parliamentary and security sector power-sharing were raised, calling for the incorporation of anti-Balaka members into the legislative and military national structures. The group also began calling for the establishment of security and constitutional order as well as for the civil rights and access to public services of the Central African people to be respected. Finally, anti-Balaka also accused the government of economic corruption: “a leader supposed to lead the Central African state is suspected of embezzling a large sum of money at a critical time when the Central African people are shaving the wall”.
The main conflict goal issue for anti-Balaka was the ousting of President Djotodia and his cabinet from power. This issue was continuously stated with heavy emphasis and was frequently indicated by the group during its brief coded existence.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: During the year of its emergence, anti-Balaka raised issues of atrocities and abuses committed by another Central African rebel group, Seleka, against the civilian population. The group also called for the removal of foreigners, calling for the removal of “jihadists from Chad and Sudan”.
In the second coded year of conflict, the group did not explicitly reiterate either of these issues. Instead, anti-Balaka stated that its goal was “to save the country from Chadian and Sudanese forces that have taken the country hostage, and to defend the Christian population”, indicating issues of collective targeting from military forces and calls for the removal of foreign military forces. The group also called for the removal of foreign military support to the Central African government from Chad. Finally, anti-Balaka also initiated a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Muslim civilians in the areas it controlled, stating that: “We don’t want any more Muslims in our country.” No particular main conflict dynamics issue was interpreted as no issues were stated in both coded years.
Conflict Resolution Issues: The only interpreted conflict resolution issue expressed by anti-Balaka in 2013 was a statement calling for general amnesty as a precondition for its forces to surrender to the government. This issue was not reiterated in 2014, although several further issues were raised. The group called for negotiations to be established and a ceasefire to be initiated: “We don't want war anymore. We wish the Central African authorities a dialogue for a return to peace in the Central African Republic.” After this, anti-Balaka also called for compensation of losses suffered during the fighting, the establishment of a national reconciliation process, and for a process of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) to be initiated for combatants who wanted to reintegrate into Central African society. No main conflict resolution issue was interpreted for anti-Balaka.
Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Civil rights, Constitutional issues, Corruption, Executive power-sharing, Law and order, Oust head of the executive, Parliamentary power-sharing, Public services, Security sector power-sharing
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, Call for collective targeting: religious, Collective targeting: religious, DFI: Removal of foreigners, DFI: Withdrawal of military intervention/foreign forces, DFI: Withdrawal of military support
Conflict Resolution Issues:
Amnesties, Call for ceasefire, Call for negotiations, Call for truth and reconciliation processes, Compensation/restoration, DDR issues
Government of DR Congo (Zaire) - MNR
Conflict Goal Issues: Mouvement National des Révolutionnaires, National Movement for the Revolution, (MNR) was a rebel group active in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2017. The group emerged following a prison break and was made up of prisoners who began calling for the President to hold elections by the end of 2017. The group was not characterized by any ethnicity or religion, but united in its desire to overthrow the government. During its first, and only, year of existence, MNR made three statements pertaining to the group’s conflict goal issues. Initially, the group proclaimed its intent to force the government to hold elections, but these demands quickly changed to demanding the full surrender of the government and, particularly, the President. MNR called on “patriotic soldiers to dissociate themselves from the army which is still commanded by Rwandan officers and to join the forces of the Revolution in order to put an end to this regime of shame imposed on us for more than 20 years.” As MNR was only coded for one year, no further conflict goal issues were pronounced, and no main issue was interpreted.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: During the year of its existence, MNR pronounced several interpreted conflict dynamics issues. Initially, they emphasized allegations of abuses by pro-government militias who “sowed terror in the territory of Lubero, raping our mothers, looting our poor compatriots”, they quickly began calling for the removal of Rwandan troops from the country stating that these were the cause of the mistreatment of the Congolese population. Furthermore, the group released statements pertaining to the conduct of the military, stating that the army, in an effort to attack the rebel group, had damaged a school. Finally, they also called for the removal of foreign, specifically Rwandan, influence: “We want to liberate our country from foreign occupations of which it is a victim at all levels.”
Conflict Resolution Issues: The project coded no statements from MNR pertaining to conflict resolution issues.
Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Hold elections, Oust full executive, Oust head of the executive
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, DFI: Removal of foreign influence, DFI: Withdrawal of military intervention/foreign forces, Military conduct
Conflict Resolution Issues:
Government of DR Congo (Zaire) - CMC
Conflict Goal Issues: Collectif des mouvements pour le changement, Coalition for movements of change, (CMC), also known by the name of its armed wing, the People’s Defense Forces (FDP), is an umbrella movement of several Hutu/Nyatura groups. The rebel group emerged in 2016 and became active in conflict against the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) claiming to represent the Hutu population in DR Congo. The project only coded groups until 2017, which is why only the years of 2016 and 2017 are coded. During its existence, the group stated several conflict goal issues. In 2016, CMC released its manifesto in which it stated its commitment to fight against any violation of the constitution, and against corruption, protect democratic ideals and values in Congo, hold elections, improve education standards, and reform the judicial system to make it transparent and independent. In 2017, all issues apart from education and judicial reform were reemphasized The group also called for the protection of civil rights, establishment of law and order, protection of natural resource revenue, and for the military forces to “stop acting under the orders of a commander whose mandate is obsolete”. The group also called for the removal of President Joseph Kabila as they considered his rule illegitimate.
The main conflict goal issues of CMC were the establishment of democracy and the ousting of the President. The issue of democracy was continuously stated throughout the coded conflict with heavy emphasis and was central to the group’s other issues. The issue of overthrowing the Kabila regime was only coded in 2017, but it became integral to the group’s existence and growth, which is why it is also considered a main conflict goal issue.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: During 2017, CMC stated several conflict dynamics issues, including accusations of the government of DR Congo of systematically abusing the civilian population. Most issues were, however, directed toward the international community. The group called for the removal of foreign influence, military support, and political support, calling for the withdrawal of all support that helped the Congolese government under Kabila. CMC also began calling for assistance from the international community through the implementation of sanctions, foreign pressure, and foreign military involvement against the government of DR Congo. The group also called for international community supportive of peace and democracy to “come and lend a hand” to the CMC.
Conflict Resolution Issues: The only interpreted conflict resolution issue expressed by CMC was coded in 2017 when the group pronounced its opposition to a peace agreement as the group claimed the agreement was not signed by people mandated by or representative of the Congolese people.
Type of conflict issues: The coded conflict issues for this group are: Conflict Goal Issues: Civil rights, Constitutional issues, Corruption, CPS: Democracy, Hold elections, Law and order, Oust full executive, Oust head of the executive, Public services, Reform judicial system, Restructure military forces, Revenues from natural resources
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, DFI: Removal of foreign influence, DFI: Withdrawal of military support, DFI: Withdrawal of political support, IFI: Military intervention/foreign forces, IFI: Sanctions, IFI: Support from diasporas/foreign fighters, IFI: Use of foreign influence
Conflict Resolution Issues: Opposition to peace agreement
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1978
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Tanzania - Government of Uganda
2001
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Tanzania - Civilians
2020
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Tanzania - IS
2025
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Tanzania - Civilians
Government of Tanzania - Opponents of Hassan
Group Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1978 Group Archive
Government of Tanzania - Government of Uganda
Troop Size: 20 000
Comment on Troop Size: Following eight years of army purges, Amin’s army consisted of less than 20 000 at the time of the invasion.
Out of these 20 000 around 3000 were deployed in the Kagera Salient.
