A Study of the Central African Republic Conflict (2012-2019) and the Potential of Femwise-Africa Peace Model in Conflict Resolution

African women-led peacebuilding initiatives have received little attention in the past, despite their efforts to foster social cohesion in conflict regions within Africa. The establishment of the FemWise-Africa Network pulls the cooperation of African women from all African states and those in the diaspora. It calls for attention at both the national and international stage, to reinforce their position as agents of change in conflict contexts, particularly in their inclusion at the peace and security decision-making tables at all levels. Despite the adoption of ten plus resolutions by the United Nations Security Council on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), more needs to be done when it comes to implementation, because a wide gap still exists on their representation in all levels of peace processes. This key focus of this study is to understand the importance of FemWise-Africa Network in line with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda that was specifically drawn from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, and other normative frameworks adopted for its implementation. It explores the gaps in the succeeding Resolutions 1820, 1888, 1889, 1960, 2106, 2122 and 2242, which are somewhat addressed in Resolutions 2467 and 2493, both adopted in 2019. Building regional synergies is seen as one of the ways to effectively implement the WPS Agenda. The FemWise Peace Model is centered at professionalizing the role of African women in preventive diplomacy and mediation through the provision of relevant training and capacity development at different levels. It also develops a database of African women with the relevant competencies, ensuring a large number of African women are appointed in decision making positions to channel their meaningful and effective participation in peace processes, including as heads of official high-level mediation missions. A case is built around the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) that erupted in 2012, which since then has had a profound impact on CAR women. However these women have not only been victims. They have been involved in supporting the management of peace within their borders. Given their role as peacebuilders, this thesis explores their agency and prospects as peacebuilders to end violence using the Fem-Wise model. A Feminist research design and qualitative research methods will be adopted for this research.