IPIS on Central African Republic: At present natural resources not the main conflict motive in current conflict

“Mapping Conflict Motives: Central African Republic” is the third study in the IPIS mapping series. It deals with the presence, behaviour and motivation of armed groups operating in the Central African Republic in 2008. One of the study’s conclusion is that currently there’s no clear link between natural resources and conflict in the CAR.

The report reads that “the profit that can be made from controlling areas rich in natural resources is not a motivation to either of the major warring parties.” The geographical analysis which characterises IPIS’ mapping series reveals that most of the territories held by rebels contain only few natural resources. The only violence directly linked to obtaining access to natural resources comes from heavily armed illegal poachers interested in ivory.

The report, however, does not exclude that natural resources might become a source of conflict in the feature. It mentions possible oil reserves in the North of the CAR and exploitation of uranium in the South as potential drivers for increasing insecurity and conflict in future.

Download the report here:

For more information on the project Mapping Conflict Motives in War Areas click here >