The Central African Republic (CAR) has been plagued by decades of violence, instability and political upheaval since gaining independence in 1960. The ongoing conflict, which intensified in 2013 with the rise of the Seleka coalition and the subsequent formation of anti-Balaka groups, has resulted in widespread human rights abuses, displacement, and a severe humanitarian crisis. In this volatile environment, foreign mining operations, particularly those run by Chinese companies, have become increasingly vulnerable to attacks by various armed groups vying for control of the country's resource-rich areas.