Central African Republic

Central African Republic went ahead with a presidential runoff vote Sunday that many hope will solidify a tentative peace after more than two years of sectarian fighting left untold thousands dead and forced nearly half a million people to flee to neighboring countries.

The United Nations said Tuesday it is investigating new allegations that U.N. peacekeepers sexually abused four underage girls in the capital of Central African Republic.

A Muslim rebel leader in Central African Republic proclaimed an autonomous state in the country’s north Tuesday just days after threatening violence against those voting on a constitutional referendum meant to usher in stability.

All in all, the last month in Africa has offered plenty to raise eyebrows.

As most Francophone African countries celebrate their 55 years of independence this year, this may be a good time to reassess relations between them and France.

Central African Republic’s transitional president opened talks Saturday with leaders of a Christian militia who have called for her government to resign, a spokeswoman said, trying to put a stop to days of heavy violence that killed one U.N. peacekeeper and injured more than a dozen others.

The interim president of the Central African Republic (CAR) told hundreds of soldiers standing in formation last Wednesday that she was proud of them. Despite her calling on them to bring order to the country, after she left, the soldiers broke ranks to mercilessly stab and stomp a man to death. The soldiers then dragged the man’s corpse through the streets.

France has taken military action on the African continent dozens of times during the past 50 years since its former colonies became independent states.

The top bodyguard for Joseph Kony, the infamous leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, was killed.