Agreement between the Transitional Government and the armed groups on the principles of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation and of integration into the uniformed State forces of the Central African Republic (DDRR Agreement)

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Agreement between the Transitional Government and the armed groups on the principles of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation and of integration into the uniformed State forces of the Central African Republic (DDRR Agreement)
Date: 10 May 2015
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Central African Republic Conflicts (1996 - )
The Central African Republic conflict is one of a set of regionally connected conflicts addressed by the African Great Lakes process. After the country gained independence from France in 1960 it has been ruled by a sequence of autocratic leaders that principally gained power through coups. Since the mid-1990s several waves of internal conflict took place in the Central African Republic, primarily along tribal, and later-on increasingly sectarian, lines. In 1996 and 1997, French troops and soldiers from neighbouring countries intervened to end a mutiny in the capital, Bangui, by factions of the army. The fighting was predominantly along tribal lines, with southern tribes in revolt against the ‘northern’ government. A UN mission was installed in 1998 to secure the truce.
After General Bozizé took control of the country after several coup attempts in 2003, a ‘bush war’ began led by armed opposition forces. From late 2006 onward, government troops with French military support severely weakened the rebels. Following this, a number of agreements were signed during 2007-2008, but not all factions have accepted them. In 2011, Bozizé was re-elected in supposedly fraudulent elections, which resulted in a new wave of uprisings. Séléka, an alliance of northern rebel groups, took over parts of the country and forced Bozizé to agree to a power-sharing deal. However, after this agreement broke down, Séléka took control of Bangui and Bozizé had to flee the country in 2013. Leader of Séléka, Michel Djotodia, took office and officially disbanded Séléka. However, continual violence between ex-Séléka groups and opposing militias, collectively known as ‘anti-balaka’, persisted and Djotodia was forced to resign less than a year later. Catherine Samba-Panza was installed as interim president until Faustin Archange Touadéra was elected in January 2016. In February 2019 an agreement was signed between the government and fourteen armed groups, including ex-Seleka groups, committed to disarmament. However, violence between ex-Seleka groups and anti-balaka continues.
Stage: Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: CAR: coups and rebellions process
Parties: Mr. Abel Balenguele
Deputy Coordinator
Front populaire pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique

Mr. Herbert Gontran Djono Ahaba
President
Rassemblement patriotique pour le renouveau de la Centrafrique

Mr. Landa Nzengue
President
Union des forces républicaines fondamentales

General Mohamed Dhaffane
President
Séléka rénovée

Mr. Larry Nordine Mahalba
Spokesperson
Mouvement des libérateurs centrafricains pour la justice

Mr. Marcel Bagaza
Representative
Front démocratique pour le progrès de la Centrafrique

Mr. Patrice Edouard Ngaïssona
General Coordinator
Coordination des ex-combattants anti-Balaka

Mr. Souleymane Daouda
Political Adviser
Unité du peuple centrafricain

Mr. Armel Ningatouloum Sayo
President
Révolution et justice

Mr. Philippe Wagramalé Ndoto
President
Union des forces républicaines

For the Presidium of the Bangui National Forum
Abdoulaye Bathily

For the Transitional Government
Marie Noelle Koyara

For the national stakeholders
Gerard Lakosso
Third parties: – Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations
Babacar Gaye

– Special Representative of the African Union
[Illegible signature]

– Special Representative of the President of the Republic of the Congo and International Mediator in the crisis in Central African Republic
Basile Ikouebe

– Representative of the Economic Community of Central African States
[Illegible signature]
Description: This agreement specifies the modalities and principles or a disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and repatriation program for armed group in the Central African Republic.

Agreement document: CF_150510_DDRR Agreement.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Rhetorical
Page 1, Preamble
Bearing in mind the pledge of 5 May 2015, signed by the politico-military groups that participated in the Bangui Forum, to end the recruitment and use of children and other serious violations of the rights of the child;
Groups→Children/youth→Substantive
Page 2, Article 3
The eligibility criteria for participation in the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme are as follows:
[...]
3. Children associated with armed forces and groups are eligible for the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme, whether or not they have weapons.

Page 2, Article 5
Article 5
Bearing in mind the Commitment Agreement between the Government and the politico-military groups, the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall comprise the following tasks, to be conducted at the sites to which candidates for the process will report:
1. First, children associated with the politico-military groups will be identified, irrespective of whether or not they have a functioning weapon in their possession, with a view to redirecting them immediately to specific government programmes, with the support of partners;

Page 3, Article 6
Article 6
The national disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall be restricted exclusively to eligible combatants. Ineligible combatants, primarily unarmed combatants, shall be transferred to their communities of origin and included in the following specific programmes:
1. The national income-generation programme for combatants and at-risk youth, carried out nationwide and supported by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the United Nations Development Programme and other partners;
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: Page 2, Article 5
Bearing in mind the Commitment Agreement between the Government and the politico-military groups, the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall comprise the following tasks, to be conducted at the sites to which candidates for the process will report:
[...]
3. Eligible combatants will then be identified and registered in a database. They will receive a demobilization card. At this stage, women will be separated from men. Women shall have the same opportunities;
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: Page 2, Article 4
[...]
Before the elections, and pending the mobilization of the necessary resources for the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation process, the combatants shall present themselves at specific sites, where they will be informed, identified, regrouped, disarmed and cared for during the process.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 1, Preamble
Bearing in mind the commitment of all political and civil society actors in the Central African Republic to achieve peace;

Page 1, Preamble
The Transitional Government of the Central African Republic and the aforementioned armed groups, in the presence of the political establishment, civil society and the international community, agree as follows:

Page 4, Article 9
The institutional and coordination framework for the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall be set up by the Government and shall include representatives of the armed groups, civil society and the international community.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: Page 1, Preamble
Firmly resolved to strengthen the rule of law and build a national army inclusive of all segments of Central African society;
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 3, Article 5
Bearing in mind the Commitment Agreement between the Government and the politico-military groups, the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall comprise the following tasks, to be conducted at the sites to which candidates for the process will report:
[...]
5. Combatants who choose to be reintegrated into the community will be transferred to their host communities with a basic support package, and will participate with other community members in community development programmes that generate training and employment opportunities, as part of the community reintegration programme.

Page 3, Article 6
The national disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall be restricted exclusively to eligible combatants. Ineligible combatants, primarily unarmed combatants, shall be transferred to their communities of origin and included in the following specific programmes:
1. The national income-generation programme for combatants and at-risk youth, carried out nationwide and supported by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the United Nations Development Programme and other partners;
[...]
3. The reconstruction and development programmes set up by the Government and the international community;
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 3, Article 6
The national disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall be restricted exclusively to eligible combatants. Ineligible combatants, primarily unarmed combatants, shall be transferred to their communities of origin and included in the following specific programmes:
1. The national income-generation programme for combatants and at-risk youth, carried out nationwide and supported by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the United Nations Development Programme and other partners;
2. The community violence reduction programmes supported by MINUSCA and development partners;
3. The reconstruction and development programmes set up by the Government and the international community;
4. The Government and the leaders of the politico-military groups, together with MINUSCA and other partners, will coordinate donor-funded programmes to promote the social reinsertion of former combatants.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
Page 1, Article 1
The combatants affiliated with all the armed groups agree and solemnly undertake, before the people of the Central African Republic, to put a definitive end to the armed conflicts in the Central African Republic.

The combatants affiliated with those armed groups formally undertake to lay down their weapons, renounce armed struggle as a means of political advocacy, participate in a disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme, and engage in political competition as defined in the present Agreement.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 3, Article 7
Some former combatants participating in the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme will be integrated into the uniformed State forces. The recruitment capacity of these forces shall be established under the new law on military programming and security sector reform.

Integration into the uniformed forces shall be undertaken gradually and on a case-by-case basis. It shall be governed by criteria of professionalism and fairness and shall be aimed at rebuilding the country’s security institutions.

Integration will be possible only after a transparent verification process supported by the international community.

Former combatants who volunteer to join the uniformed forces but do not pass national recruitment tests shall be redirected to the community reintegration programmes.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
The entire agreement sets our DDR principles, provisions, and programmes.
Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
The entire agreement sets our DDR principles, provisions, and programmes.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: The entire agreements sets out the terms of how former combatants in armed groups will be dealt with through DDR and other programmes.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: Page 3-4, Article 8
Article 8
Combatants who are identified as foreigners and who have not committed war crimes in the Central African Republic shall be repatriated to their countries of origin. The Government, with the support of MINUSCA and other partners, shall establish international contacts with a view to the repatriation of foreign combatants.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: Observers
– Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations
(Signed) Babacar Gaye
Other international signatory: Observers
– Special Representative of the African Union
(Signed) [Illegible signature]
– Special Representative of the President of the Republic of the Congo and International Mediator in the crisis in Central African Republic
(Signed) Basile Ikouebe
– Representative of the Economic Community of Central African States
(Signed) [Illegible signature]
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 3, Article 6
The national disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall be restricted exclusively to eligible combatants. Ineligible combatants, primarily unarmed combatants, shall be transferred to their communities of origin and included in the following specific programmes:
1. The national income-generation programme for combatants and at-risk youth, carried out nationwide and supported by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the United Nations Development Programme and other partners;
2. The community violence reduction programmes supported by MINUSCA and development partners;
3. The reconstruction and development programmes set up by the Government and the international community;
4. The Government and the leaders of the politico-military groups, together with MINUSCA and other partners, will coordinate donor-funded programmes to promote the social reinsertion of former combatants.

Page 3-4, Article 8
Combatants who are identified as foreigners and who have not committed war crimes in the Central African Republic shall be repatriated to their countries of origin. The Government, with the support of MINUSCA and other partners, shall establish international contacts with a view to the repatriation of foreign combatants.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 4, Article 9
The institutional and coordination framework for the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall be set up by the Government and shall include representatives of the armed groups, civil society and the international community.

A monitoring and evaluation mechanism shall be established along the same lines.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: https://peacemaker.un.org/node/2742

Annex

Agreement between the Transitional Government and the armed groups on the principles of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation and of integration into the uniformed State forces of the Central African Republic

Preamble

Considering the Constitutional Charter for the Transition of 18 July 2013;

Bearing in mind the continued commitment of Her Excellency Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza, Head of State of the Transition, to promote dialogue and reconciliation among all the sons and daughters of the Central African Republic and to safeguard the integrity of the national territory, as reiterated in her address to the nation on 4 July 2014;

In the light of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed on 23 July 2014 in Brazzaville by the unconventional armed groups in the Central African Republic;

In the light of the policy statement signed by the participants in the Brazzaville Forum;

Bearing in mind the Commitment Agreement between the Government and the politico-military groups, signed in Bangui on 23 April 2015;

Bearing in mind the pledge of 5 May 2015, signed by the politico-military groups that participated in the Bangui Forum, to end the recruitment and use of children and other serious violations of the rights of the child;

Bearing in mind the commitment of all political and civil society actors in the Central African Republic to achieve peace;

Bearing in mind the commitment of the international community and the global support for the Bangui Forum agreements;

In the light of the recommendations made under the “peace and security” thematic cluster of the Bangui National Forum;

Firmly resolved to strengthen the rule of law and build a national army inclusive of all segments of Central African society;

The Transitional Government of the Central African Republic and the aforementioned armed groups, in the presence of the political establishment, civil society and the international community, agree as follows:

Article 1

The combatants affiliated with all the armed groups agree and solemnly undertake, before the people of the Central African Republic, to put a definitive end to the armed conflicts in the Central African Republic.

The combatants affiliated with those armed groups formally undertake to lay down their weapons, renounce armed struggle as a means of political advocacy, participate in a disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme, and engage in political competition as defined in the present Agreement.

Article 2

The present Agreement provides for the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation of combatants affiliated with all the armed groups operating in the territory of the Central African Republic.

Article 3

The eligibility criteria for participation in the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme are as follows:

1. Combatants must be members of the armed groups signatories to the present Agreement.

2. Combatants must surrender all working or non-working military weapons, explosives, mines and other military items in their possession.

3. Children associated with armed forces and groups are eligible for the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme, whether or not they have weapons.

Article 4

All former combatants and former armed elements signatories to the present Agreement shall assemble within a reasonable time period, subject to the mobilization of the necessary resources, at sites to be agreed upon with the Transitional Government and the international community.

During this time, such former combatants and armed elements shall be the responsibility of the Government with the support of its partners.

Before the elections, and pending the mobilization of the necessary resources for the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation process, the combatants shall present themselves at specific sites, where they will be informed, identified, regrouped, disarmed and cared for during the process.

Article 5

Bearing in mind the Commitment Agreement between the Government and the politico-military groups, the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall comprise the following tasks, to be conducted at the sites to which candidates for the process will report:

1. First, children associated with the politico-military groups will be identified, irrespective of whether or not they have a functioning weapon in their possession, with a view to redirecting them immediately to specific government programmes, with the support of partners;

2. The second task will be to verify whether each candidate meets the eligibility criteria;

3. Eligible combatants will then be identified and registered in a database.

They will receive a demobilization card.

At this stage, women will be separated from men.

Women shall have the same opportunities;

4. Eligible combatants will be made aware of and informed about the content of the national disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and

repatriation plan.

They may choose to be reintegrated into the community or to volunteer to become provisional members of the uniformed State forces under the conditions set out in article 4 of the present Agreement;

5. Combatants who choose to be reintegrated into the community will be transferred to their host communities with a basic support package, and will participate with other community members in community development programmes that generate training and employment opportunities, as part of the community reintegration programme.

Article 6

The national disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall be restricted exclusively to eligible combatants.

Ineligible combatants, primarily unarmed combatants, shall be transferred to their communities of origin and included in the following specific programmes:

1. The national income-generation programme for combatants and at-risk youth, carried out nationwide and supported by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the United Nations Development Programme and other partners;

2. The community violence reduction programmes supported by MINUSCA and development partners;

3. The reconstruction and development programmes set up by the Government and the international community;

4. The Government and the leaders of the politico-military groups, together with MINUSCA and other partners, will coordinate donor-funded programmes to promote the social reinsertion of former combatants.

Article 7

Some former combatants participating in the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme will be integrated into the uniformed State forces.

The recruitment capacity of these forces shall be established under the new law on military programming and security sector reform.

Integration into the uniformed forces shall be undertaken gradually and on a case-by-case basis.

It shall be governed by criteria of professionalism and fairness and shall be aimed at rebuilding the country’s security institutions.

Integration will be possible only after a transparent verification process supported by the international community.

Former combatants who volunteer to join the uniformed forces but do not pass national recruitment tests shall be redirected to the community reintegration programmes.

Article 8

Combatants who are identified as foreigners and who have not committed war crimes in the Central African Republic shall be repatriated to their countries of

origin.

The Government, with the support of MINUSCA and other partners, shall establish international contacts with a view to the repatriation of foreign combatants.

Article 9

The institutional and coordination framework for the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme shall be set up by the Government and shall include representatives of the armed groups, civil society and the international community.

A monitoring and evaluation mechanism shall be established along the same lines.

Article 10

The present Agreement shall enter into force upon signature and shall be widely publicized, as necessary.

Done at Bangui on 10 May 2015

Signed:

(Signed) Mr. Abel Balenguele

Deputy Coordinator

Front populaire pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique

(Signed) Mr. Herbert Gontran Djono Ahaba

President

Rassemblement patriotique pour le renouveau de la Centrafrique

(Signed) Mr. Landa Nzengue

President

Union des forces républicaines fondamentales

(Signed) General Mohamed Dhaffane

President

Séléka rénovée

(Signed) Mr. Larry Nordine Mahalba

Spokesperson

Mouvement des libérateurs centrafricains pour la justice

(Signed) Mr. Marcel Bagaza

Representative

Front démocratique pour le progrès de la Centrafrique

(Signed) Mr. Patrice Edouard Ngaïssona

General Coordinator

Coordination des ex-combattants anti-Balaka

(Signed) Mr. Souleymane Daouda

Political Adviser

Unité du peuple centrafricain

(Signed) Mr. Armel Ningatouloum Sayo

President

Révolution et justice

(Signed) Mr. Philippe Wagramalé Ndoto

President

Union des forces républicaines

S/2015/344

12/28 15-09002

Signed:

For the Presidium of the Bangui National Forum

(Signed) Abdoulaye Bathily

For the Transitional Government

(Signed) Marie Noelle Koyara

For the national stakeholders

(Signed) Gerard Lakosso

For the observers

– Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations

(Signed) Babacar Gaye

– Special Representative of the African Union

(Signed) [Illegible signature]

– Special Representative of the President of the Republic of the Congo and International Mediator in the crisis in Central African Republic

(Signed) Basile Ikouebe

– Representative of the Economic Community of Central African States

(Signed) [Illegible signature]