This report hopes to provide an overview of how the Central African Republic got to where it is now,
\nas well as to present the means to further our understanding of the current situation. First a genealogy
\nof the current situation is provided, which is presented in the form of a narrative literature overview
\nencompassing the postcolonial period. This is followed by a brief account on the main conflict actors
\nactive at the time of writing. The third part of the analysis studies what motivates the behaviour of the
\narmed groups in the country, using data gathered for the period between January and December 2010,
\nwhich have been visualised on a GIS map.
\nThe report builds upon earlier research conducted by IPIS in its Mapping Conflict Motives: Central
\nAfrican Republic report. Though insecurity is still rampant across the country, the situation has changed
\na lot since. In 2008, the conflict zones within the CAR were concentrated in Ouham and Vakaga, with
\nrespectively the APRD and UFDR as main insurgency movement and the FACA as their main opponent.
\nIn 2010, on the contrary, the CPJP and LRA are easily noticed as the most active armed groups. Although
\nthis is seemingly a complete reversal of the situation, closer analysis reveals how present and past
\nsituations are still intrinsically linked to each other.<\/p>\n