Rachel Sullivan is a program officer with the RESOLVE Network at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Previously, she was a specialist with USIP's Africa program. Sullivan joined USIP as full time staff after one year as a graduate student research assistant with the Africa team. Prior to joining USIP, she worked with the Initiatives Team in the President’s Office at Georgetown University.

Sullivan specializes in the ongoing crisis in the Central African Republic, working with the Africa team and USIP’s IMPACT initiative. Her research interests include extremist violence, democracy and governance in Africa, hybrid authoritarian regimes and identity narratives.

Sullivan holds a master's in conflict resolution with concentrations in African politics and terrorism from Georgetown University, with some coursework completed through the University of Maryland National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START). She also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and French language and literature from the University of Chicago, with some coursework completed through the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris.

Publications By Rachel

As Violent Extremism Evolves, Local Partners are Key in Finding Solutions

As Violent Extremism Evolves, Local Partners are Key in Finding Solutions

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

By: Kateira Aryaeinejad;  Rachel Sullivan

In the 22 years since the 9/11 attacks, the global community has grappled with how best to respond to, prevent and address violent extremism and its impacts, including acts of terrorism. Policymakers and practitioners alike have recognized the need to avoid overly repressive measures, so significant investment has gone into a version of preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) that adopts a less-securitized approach alongside an array of peacebuilding, development and public health tools.

Type: Analysis

Violent Extremism

Beyond Fake News: the Central African Republic’s Hate Speech Problem

Beyond Fake News: the Central African Republic’s Hate Speech Problem

Monday, August 16, 2021

By: Brianna Ferebee;  Rachel Sullivan

After a recent contested election, the Central African Republic finds itself in a precarious situation. Violence around the election combined with the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 and destructive flooding have caused the humanitarian emergency to reach its worst state in five years. Meanwhile, the CAR government has been accused of engaging in Russian-backed disinformation campaigns targeting domestic civil society, French diplomats and the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA), threatening key relationships. Even as the long-simmering issue of hate speech continues to draw fault lines through the country, efforts to combat these campaigns have focused primarily on challenging fake news rather than addressing the underlying fear and prejudice that spoilers use to stoke conflict. 

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

Central African Republic’s Disputed Elections Exacerbate Rising Tensions

Central African Republic’s Disputed Elections Exacerbate Rising Tensions

Thursday, January 7, 2021

By: Elizabeth Murray;  Rachel Sullivan

After an election period marked by violence and rising tension, the Central African Republic’s (CAR) incumbent president, Faustin Archange Touadéra, has been re-elected, according to the country’s election commission. Days before the vote, a disparate medley of armed groups coalesced to demand the vote be postponed. Since the polls’ closing, there has been a serious spike in violence with fighting in many major towns. The political opposition as well as the newly formed armed coalition have rejected the results and have demanded a re-run election. USIP’s Elizabeth Murray and Rachel Sullivan explain what led to rising violence in the weeks before the polls, what it means for the floundering 2019 peace agreement, and where the international community stands.

Type: Analysis

Global Elections & Conflict

Amid the Central African Republic’s search for peace, Russia steps in. Is China next?

Amid the Central African Republic’s search for peace, Russia steps in. Is China next?

Thursday, December 19, 2019

By: Leslie Minney;  Rachel Sullivan;  Rachel Vandenbrink

The 2017 National Security Strategy refocused U.S. foreign and defense policy to address resurgent major power competition with Russia and China. In U.S. foreign policy, Africa has emerged as a frontline for this competition, as in recent years both Moscow and Beijing have sought to expand their influence and promote their interests on the continent. Nowhere is the role of major powers more apparent than in the Central African Republic (CAR), where Russia has emerged as a key power broker amid a civil war that has simmered since 2012. Despite concerns about the need to counter other major powers, the best course for U.S. policy in CAR is to not allow competition with Russia and China to distract from the fundamental priority of supporting a democratic, inclusive path to peace.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & PreventionGlobal Policy

View All