I stayed a couple weeks after the IWMF reporting trip and had the chance to witness Central African Republic’s National Holiday, on the 1st of December 2017. The glitz of the celebration contrasts with the reality of most of the country, still controlled by 14 armed groups and some self-defense militias. A country from which the State is absent. I felt I saw what people meant when they said that CAR is “The Republic of Bangui”.

– Adrienne Surprenant