Education Insecurity in the Central African Republic: Case study of the rebel-held city Ndélé

The ongoing conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) is rooted in unequal access to economic opportunities, public goods, and security and justice. Predominantly Muslim areas have been particularly marginalised by the capital-based elites who run the state. Surprisingly, however, in Ndélé, a rebel-held, predominantly Muslim town in the country’s north-east, high school examination (baccalaureate) success rates were five times higher than the national average in 2017. Our qualitative research showed the factors that explain Ndélé’s relative success, but also important dynamics that put the story into perspective.