Carole, a 32-year-old former combatant, sits in her home in Bouar, Central African Republic, Thursday, March 7, 2024. Nearly 5,000 fighters have put down their arms in Central African Republic since a disarmament program launched nearly a decade ago. Yet former rebels, communities and conflict experts say it's hard to halt fighting in a country still in conflict and where little other paid work exists. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick)
Women wash clothes and dishes in a stream in Bouar, Central African Republic, Thursday, March 7, 2024. Nearly 5,000 fighters have put down their arms in Central African Republic since a disarmament program launched nearly a decade ago. Yet former rebels, communities and conflict experts say it's hard to halt fighting in a country still in conflict and where little other paid work exists. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick)
Former fighter, Wilson Koudinguere lifts his shirt n Bouar, Central African Republic, Friday, March 8, 2024, and points to a scar where he said his commander shot him when he first tried to leave the group. He's been in and out of armed groups most of his life and finally left in 2018 and trained with the army. Nearly 5,000 fighters have put down their arms in Central African Republic since a disarmament program launched nearly a decade ago. Yet former rebels, communities and conflict experts say it's hard to halt fighting in a country still in conflict and where little other paid work exists. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick)
Carole, a 32-year-old former combatant, cleans outside her home in Bouar, Central African Republic, Thursday, March 7, 2024. Nearly 5,000 fighters have put down their arms in Central African Republic since a disarmament program launched nearly a decade ago. Yet former rebels, communities and conflict experts say it's hard to halt fighting in a country still in conflict and where little other paid work exists. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick)
Carole's sewing machine sits idle in her home in Bouar, Central African Republic, Thursday, March 7, 2024. A former combatant, the 32-year-old received it after her training course when she left the rebel group. Nearly 5,000 fighters have put down their arms in Central African Republic since a disarmament program launched nearly a decade ago. Yet former rebels, communities and conflict experts say it's hard to halt fighting in a country still in conflict and where little other paid work exists. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick)
United Nations peacekeepers stand in the market in Bouar, Central African Republic, Friday, March 8, 2024. Nearly 5,000 fighters have put down their arms in Central African Republic since a disarmament program launched nearly a decade ago. Yet former rebels, communities and conflict experts say it's hard to halt fighting in a country still in conflict and where little other paid work exists. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick)