Seven years after he was infamously ousted from government in a violent coup, the former president of the Central African Republic (CAR), François Bozize, has announced plans to make a return to power in the country’s upcoming elections set to hold less than six months from now in December. Just returning back from exile, Bozize plans to run despite US sanctions against him for his role in the crisis of 2013.

Bozize made his intention known in front of a large crowd of supporters at a recent congress by his party, Kwa Na Kwa in the CAR capital of Bangui. “The party congress has just designated me a candidate of the Kwa Na Kwa for the next presidential election … I solemnly accept the mission you have entrusted me,” he said in a speech that was also transmitted live on Facebook.

Criticising the work of the current president, Faustin Archange Touadera, Bozize also added that the country was in dire need of a man with “experience, peace, and conviction.”

History of Violent Conflicts

Leadership in the CAR has been plagued with violence over the years. Bozize himself came into power in 2003 after a coup, before being overthrown from government 10 years later by Michel Djotodia, who heads the mainly Muslim Seleka rebellion in the predominantly Christian country. However, following years of bloodshed, France intervened militarily from 2013 to 2016, pushing out Seleka and paving way for incumbent President Touadera.

Despite this, intercommunal violence and conflict sparked by the fight for limited resources continue to flare up.

US Sanction

For his alleged crimes against humanity and incitement to genocide thanks to his support for the Christian anti-Balaka militia in 2013, Bozize is still under sanctions by the United Nations. He, however, plans to ask the United Nations to lift the sanctions to allow him to run for President.