Acte d'Engagement Entre Les Groupes Anti-Balakas de la Nana Membere et 3R (Bouar Agreement)

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Acte d'Engagement Entre Les Groupes Anti-Balakas de la Nana Membere et 3R (Bouar Agreement)
Date: 14 Dec 2017
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local 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: Inter-group
Peace process: CAR: Local Processes
Parties: Pour le groupe ANTI-BALAKA représenté par M. Adamou Sylvain GBOKAO NDALE
Pour le groupe 3R répresenté par M. SIDIKI ABADDI
Third parties: témoins
M. Jonad DONON - Membre de l'Assemblée Nationale
M. Amadou ISSA ADAMOU - Conseiller du Chef de l'Etat en Matière de l'Agriculture de et l'Elevage
M. Alexis NAGUEZANGBA - Préfet de la Nana-Mambere
M. Paul Shaba BAGAZA YEDERE - Sous-Préfet de Bouar
M. Lazare NAMBENA - Président de la Délégation Spéciale de la Ville de Bouar
M. Roger GODONGAI - Commandant de la FACA dans la Nana-Mambere
Mme. Christine KAPALATA - Chef de Bureau de la MINUSCA a Bouar
M. Augusti KOULAS - Représentant du Centre pour le Dialogue Humaitaire (HD)
Description: Agreement signed between rival armed factions in Bouar, in the province of Nana-Mambéré, in which they commit to an unconditional ceasefire as well as the cessation of all hostilities and attacks against armed fighters from the opposite side. The agreement also includes a number of provisions related to disarmament, economic recovery, return of the displaced, freedom of people and goods and free access to health and education. Later reports of the UN recorded the date at 15 December 2017, however the date on the photographed original is clearly 14 December 2017.

Agreement document: CF_14122017_Acte_DEngagement_Entre_Les_Groupes_Anti-Balakas_de_la_Nana-Mambere_et_3R_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_14122017_Acte_DEngagement_Entre_Les_Groupes_Anti-Balakas_de_la_Nana-Mambere_et_3R.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Page 2, Preamble
This alongside mutual understanding and cooperation between different ethnic communities and religious groups;
Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Substantive
Page 3, Article 9
Upon signature of the Agreement, the Parties shall, individually and collectively, take specific joint measures to inform their respective combatants and supporters and the populations in general of the localities concerned, to stop hostile acts against each other and any other act capable of jeopardizing peace in Nana-Mambéré. These include ethnic and religious discrimination, intimidation, extortion, the use of hostile propaganda and incitement that may harm life or cause damage to property.
Religious groups: Groups→Religious groups→Rhetorical
Page 2, Preamble
Recognizing that the responsibility to determine the fate of our region depends on the realities of our country and on the basic values of justice, the rule of law, democracy, good governance, respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms, unity and solidarity. This alongside mutual understanding and cooperation between different ethnic communities and religious groups;
Groups→Religious groups→Substantive
Page 3, Article 9
Upon signature of the Agreement, the Parties shall, individually and collectively, take specific joint measures to inform their respective combatants and supporters and the populations in general of the localities concerned, to stop hostile acts against each other and any other act capable of jeopardizing peace in Nana-Mambéré. These include ethnic and religious discrimination, intimidation, extortion, the use of hostile propaganda and incitement that may harm life or cause damage to property.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Page 3, Article 7
The Parties’ commitment to peace, reconciliation and social cohesion implies amongst other things:
d) Commitment to returning persons in Nana-Mambéré who were displaced during Party hostilities
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 1, Preamble,
Bearing in mind the national desire to build a nation-wide peaceful society, including that of the nation’s largest forces, such as the Religious Authorities, Civil Society, and political parties;

Page 3, Article 7
The Parties’ commitment to peace, reconciliation and social cohesion implies amongst other things:
a) The free movement of persons and goods, including humanitarian organizations in Nana-Mambéré;
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 1, Preamble,
Bearing in mind the national desire to build a nation-wide peaceful society, including that of the nation’s largest forces, such as the Religious Authorities, Civil Society, and political parties;
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 2, Preamble
Recognizing that the responsibility to determine the fate of our region depends on the realities of our country and on the basic values of justice, the rule of law, democracy, good governance, respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms, unity and solidarity.
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: Page 2, Preamble
Recognizing that the responsibility to determine the fate of our region depends on the realities of our country and on the basic values of justice, the rule of law, democracy, good governance, respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms, unity and solidarity.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 3, Article 9
Upon signature of the Agreement, the Parties shall, individually and collectively, take specific joint measures to inform their respective combatants and supporters and the populations in general of the localities concerned, to stop hostile acts against each other and any other act capable of jeopardizing peace in Nana-Mambéré. These include ethnic and religious discrimination, intimidation, extortion, the use of hostile propaganda and incitement that may harm life or cause damage to property.
Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
Page 3, Article 10
The terms of the Agreement will be communicated simultaneously to the civilian population by local radio, print media and other means of communication.
Mobility/access: Page 3, Article 7
The Parties’ commitment to peace, reconciliation and social cohesion implies amongst other things:
a) The free movement of persons and goods, including humanitarian organizations in Nana-Mambéré;
...
b) Free access to health facilities, such as hospitals and medical centers;
c) Free access to schools and other public buildings;
Protection measures: Rights related issues→Protection measures→Protection of groups
Page 3, Article 9
Upon signature of the Agreement, the Parties shall, individually and collectively, take specific joint measures to inform their respective combatants and supporters and the populations in general of the localities concerned, to stop hostile acts against each other and any other act capable of jeopardizing peace in Nana-Mambéré. These include ethnic and religious discrimination, intimidation, extortion, the use of hostile propaganda and incitement that may harm life or cause damage to property.
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: Page 3, Article 7
The Parties’ commitment to peace, reconciliation and social cohesion implies amongst other things:
...
f) The use of local traditional mechanisms of conflict management in the event of disputes regarding use of natural resources;
...
g) The systematic use of the exchange network established by this agreement in the event of disagreements

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 3, Article 7
The Parties’ commitment to peace, reconciliation and social cohesion implies amongst other things:
a) The free movement of persons and goods, including humanitarian organizations in Nana-Mambéré;
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: Page 3, Article 7
The Parties’ commitment to peace, reconciliation and social cohesion implies amongst other things:
...
f) The use of local traditional mechanisms of conflict management in the event of disputes regarding use of natural resources;
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: Page 3, Article 7
The Parties’ commitment to peace, reconciliation and social cohesion implies amongst other things:
a) The free movement of persons and goods, including humanitarian organizations in Nana-Mambéré;
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Property return and restitution
Page 3, Article 7
The Parties’ commitment to peace, reconciliation and social cohesion implies amongst other things:
...
e) Tolerance towards private property (houses, vehicles, agricultural parcels, livestock, etc.);
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: Page 2, Article 3
Upon signature of the Agreement, the use of weapons, as well as aggressive acts such as the burning of villages and granaries, theft of livestock, further attacks on civilians and any other act that may constitute or facilitate a violation of the Agreement must cease immediately.

Page 3, Article 5
The Parties, under the supervision of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue shall jointly outline with Community leaders, the conditions for the operation of local mechanisms for the prevention and management of the problems related to violence. These will act in the event of aggression, extortion and livestock theft, often a source of inter-communal tension and bloody clashes between the Parties.

Page 3, Article 6
The transport of animals within Nana-Mambéré or from Nana-Mambéré to other localities of the CAR will be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin, to better control the livestock movement and to prevent theft.

Page 3, Article 7
The Parties’ commitment to peace, reconciliation and social cohesion implies amongst other things:
...
e) Tolerance towards private property (houses, vehicles, agricultural parcels, livestock, etc.);
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 2, Article 4
Over the thirty (30) days following the Agreement’s entry into force, the Parties shall establish with the support of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue:
1. An information exchange network composed of community leaders, with the involvement of Party leaders
2. Detailed mapping that will define:
- Areas from which or to which the groups must withdraw;
- Demilitarized zones to serve as a buffer zone between the respective armed combatants of the Parties. For the purposes of this document, a demilitarized zone is an area where neither party has a temporary or permanent base.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 2, Article 2
Upon signature of the Agreement, the Parties shall jointly observe an unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities or aggression against the armed forces of both parties, and against the civilian populations of all the towns of Nana-Mambéré.

Page 2, Article 3
Upon signature of the Agreement, the use of weapons, as well as aggressive acts such as the burning of villages and granaries, theft of livestock, further attacks on civilians and any other act that may constitute or facilitate a violation of the Agreement must cease immediately.

Page 3, Article 9
Upon signature of the Agreement, the Parties shall, individually and collectively, take specific joint measures to inform their respective combatants and supporters and the populations in general of the localities concerned, to stop hostile acts against each other and any other act capable of jeopardizing peace in Nana-Mambéré. These include ethnic and religious discrimination, intimidation, extortion, the use of hostile propaganda and incitement that may harm life or cause damage to property.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: Page 2, Article 3
Upon signature of the Agreement, the use of weapons, as well as aggressive acts such as the burning of villages and granaries, theft of livestock, further attacks on civilians and any other act that may constitute or facilitate a violation of the Agreement must cease immediately.

Page 3, Article 5
The Parties, under the supervision of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue shall jointly outline with Community leaders, the conditions for the operation of local mechanisms for the prevention and management of the problems related to violence. These will act in the event of
aggression, extortion and livestock theft, often a source of inter-communal tension and bloody clashes between the Parties.

Page 3, Article 6
The transport of animals within Nana-Mambéré or from Nana-Mambéré to other localities of the CAR will be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin, to better control the livestock movement and to prevent theft.
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: Page 2, Preamble
...
Reaffirming our commitment to cease all violence and determined to move firmly towards an environment of peace, social cohesion, reconciliation and well-being of the people of Nana-Mambéré;

Implementation

UN signatory: Witnesses
Mme. Christine KAPALATA - MINUSCA Office manager in Bouar
Other international signatory: M. Augusti KOULAS [signature]
Representative of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD)
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Humanitarian Dialogue

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ANTI-BALAKA GROUP OF NANA-MAMBÉRÉ

AND THE

3R GROUP (RETOUR, RECLAMATION, REHABILITATION)

PREAMBULE

We, Adamou Sylvain GBOKAO NDALE and SIDIKI ABBASSI, representatives respectively of the armed groups 3R and Anti-Balaka, situated in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture, hereinafter referred to as the Parties;

Bearing in mind the previous initiatives taken by the international community to negotiate a peace in the CAR, signed on 23 July 2014 in Brazzaville;

Bearing in mind the efforts of MINUSCA to support the Central-African authorities in general, and the authorities of Nana-Mambéré in particular, in their quest for peace and reconciliation in the country;

Bearing in mind the national desire to build a nation-wide peaceful society, including that of the nation’s largest forces, such as the Religious Authorities, Civil Society, and political parties;

Bearing in mind the recommendations of the Bangui National Forum from 04 to 11 May 2015, the most important of which are contained in the Republican Agreement for Peace, National Reconciliation and Reconstruction in the CAR.

Bearing in mind the will of his Excellency, Professor Faustin Archange TUUDERA, Head of State, repeated in his various statements (Inauguration of 30 March 2016, Kigali, Brussels) and the more recent addresses to the nation of 3 December 2016 and 1 December 2017, to promote dialogue and national reconciliation between all the sons and daughters of the Central African Republic;

Expressing deep regret towards the persistent violations of the previous ceasefire agreements, as well as the loss of lives and property caused by the latest conflicts;

Conscious of the fact that without our commitment to the cardinal principles of good governance, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, the people of the prefecture of Nana-Mambéré cannot achieve overall economic growth or social-economic progress for present and future generations;

Recognizing that the responsibility to determine the fate of our region depends on the realities of our country and on the basic values of justice, the rule of law, democracy, good governance, respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms, unity and solidarity.

This alongside mutual understanding and cooperation between different ethnic communities and religious groups;

Reaffirming our commitment to cease all violence and determined to move firmly towards an environment of peace, social cohesion, reconciliation and well-being of the people of Nana-Mambéré;

By signing this Agreement, we take a solemn pledge to the government authorities, the representatives of MINUSCA, and to the people, to refrain from any action on our part that may undermine the security and well-being of the population.

We agree on the following:

Article I The Parties shall undertake a non-aggression agreement from the date of signature of this document.

Article 2 Upon signature of the Agreement, the Parties shall jointly observe an unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities or aggression against the armed forces of both parties, and against the civilian populations of all the towns of Nana-Mambéré.

Article 3 Upon signature of the Agreement, the use of weapons, as well as aggressive acts such as the burning of villages and granaries, theft of livestock, further attacks on civilians and any other act that may constitute or facilitate a violation of the Agreement must cease immediately.

Article 4 Over the thirty (30) days following the Agreement’s entry into force, the Parties shall establish with the support of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue:

1. An information exchange network composed of community leaders, with the involvement of Party leaders

2. Detailed mapping that will define:

- Areas from which or to which the groups must withdraw;

- Demilitarized zones to serve as a buffer zone between the respective armed combatants of the Parties.

For the purposes of this document, a demilitarized zone is an area where neither party has a temporary or permanent base.

Article 5 The Parties, under the supervision of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue shall jointly outline with Community leaders, the conditions for the operation of local mechanisms for the prevention and management of the problems related to violence.

These will act in the event of aggression, extortion and livestock theft, often a source of inter-communal tension and bloody clashes between the Parties.

Article 6 The transport of animals within Nana-Mambéré or from Nana-Mambéré to other localities of the CAR will be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin, to better control the livestock movement and to prevent theft.

Article 7 The Parties’ commitment to peace, reconciliation and social cohesion implies amongst other things:

a) The free movement of persons and goods, including humanitarian organizations in NanaMambéré;

b) Free access to health facilities, such as hospitals and medical centers;

c) Free access to schools and other public buildings;

d) Commitment to returning persons in Nana-Mambéré who were displaced during Party hostilities

e) Tolerance towards private property (houses, vehicles, agricultural parcels, livestock, etc.);

f) The use of local traditional mechanisms of conflict management in the event of disputes regarding use of natural resources;

g) The systematic use of the exchange network established by this agreement in the event of disagreements

Article 8 The Parties commit to respecting and implementing the provisions of the Agreement to ensure the successful establishment and consolidation of peace and social cohesion in the prefecture of Nana-Mambéré.

Article 9 Upon signature of the Agreement, the Parties shall, individually and collectively, take specific joint measures to inform their respective combatants and supporters and the populations in general of the localities concerned, to stop hostile acts against each other and any other act capable of jeopardizing peace in Nana-Mambéré.

These include ethnic and religious discrimination, intimidation, extortion, the use of hostile propaganda and incitement that may harm life or cause damage to property.

Article 10 The terms of the Agreement will be communicated simultaneously to the civilian population by local radio, print media and other means of communication.

Article 11 The Parties agree to meet monthly as part of the exchange network established by the Agreement as a trust-building measure between the Parties.

Article 12 This Agreement shall come into force upon its signature.

Done in Bouar (Nana-Mambéré) on 14 December 2017

For the ANTI-BALAKA group represented by

M. Adamou Sylvain GBOKAO NDALE [signature]

For the 3R group represented by

M. SIDIKI ABADDI [signature]

Witnesses

M. Jonad DONON [signature]

Member of he National Assembly

M. Amadou ISSA ADAMOU [signature]

Advisor to the Head of State on Agriculture and Livestock

M. Alexis NAGUEZANGBA [signature]

Prefect of Nana-Mambéré

M. Paul Shaba BAGAZA YEDERE [signature]

Sub-Prefet of Bouar

M. Lazare NAMBENA [signature]

President of the Special Delegation of the City of Bouar

M. Roger GODONGAI [signature]

FACA Commander in Nana-Mambéré

Mme. Christine KAPALATA [signature]

MINUSCA Office Manager in Bouar

M. Augusti KOULAS [signature]

Representative of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD)