Conflict prevention agreement between Farmers from Vakaga in the Central African Republic and herders from South Darfur

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Conflict prevention agreement between Farmers from Vakaga in the Central African Republic and herders from South Darfur
Date: 11 Jun 2019
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 - Sudan: local cross-border agreements
Parties: Page 5:
For the Central African party:
Bakhit Karama
[second person may have been present and signed, but no name noted in original]

For the Sudanese party:
Almahadi Tidjani Younis Din
Hamit Babikir
Third parties: Page 1, Preamble :
[...]
Gathered in Birao as part of the dialogue initiated by the Henry Dunant Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) to support the stabilization efforts undertaken by the Central African Government, with the support of the international community, throughout the national territory including Vakaga

Page 6:
Witnesses (RCA):
1. Leonard Mbele, Prefect of Vakaga
2. Hamat Moustapha, Sultan Mayor of Birao

Witnesses (Sudan):
1. Mahmour Abudahaba, Consul General of Sudan in Birao
2. Abdoulkarim Younis Din, Mayor of Amdafock in Sudan
Description: The farmers and herders from the Vakaga (CAR) and South Darfur (Sudan), with mediation by HD - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, agree to form a joint committee which is to assist in peaceful and cooperative resolution of conflicts arising from the use of land for farming and herding/breeding cattle.

Agreement document: CF_SD_190611_Conflict prevention agreement between Farmers from Vakaga in the Central African Republic and herders from South Darfur in Sudan_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_190611_Conflict prevention agreement between Farmers from Vakaga in the Central African Republic and herders from South Darfur in Sudan.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: 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: 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: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
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: Page 3:
Article 5:
In addition, the breeder community commits to:
• Respecting the routes established for the passage of animals;
• Not allowing animals to graze in the fields;
• Paying the costs of any damage caused by animals to the fields according to the local
economy;
• Renouncing armed threats or the use of weapons in the event of an altercation;
• Introducing any new arrivals to the village chiefs.
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: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: Page 2:
Chapter II: Commitments of the Parties
Article 4
The parties jointly commit to:
• Condemning any act of violence committed by one of the members of their community;
• Investing fully alongside all the authorities in the negotiated management of conflicts related to access to natural resources;
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Land reform and management
Page 3:
Article 5:
In addition, the breeder community commits to:
• Respecting the routes established for the passage of animals;
• Not allowing animals to graze in the fields;
• Paying the costs of any damage caused by animals to the fields according to the local
economy;
• Renouncing armed threats or the use of weapons in the event of an altercation;
• Introducing any new arrivals to the village chiefs.

Article 6:
In addition, the farming community commits to:
• Not putting fields on the transhumance routes;
• Not imposing exorbitant charges in the event of damage to fields.
Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Property return and restitution
Page 3:
Article 5:
In addition, the breeder community commits to:
• Respecting the routes established for the passage of animals;
• Not allowing animals to graze in the fields;
• Paying the costs of any damage caused by animals to the fields according to the local
economy;
• Renouncing armed threats or the use of weapons in the event of an altercation;
• Introducing any new arrivals to the village chiefs.

Article 6:
In addition, the farming community commits to:
• Not putting fields on the transhumance routes;
• Not imposing exorbitant charges in the event of damage to fields.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: Page 3:
Article 5:
In addition, the breeder community commits to:
• Respecting the routes established for the passage of animals;
• Not allowing animals to graze in the fields;
• Paying the costs of any damage caused by animals to the fields according to the local
economy;
• Renouncing armed threats or the use of weapons in the event of an altercation;
• Introducing any new arrivals to the village chiefs.

Article 6:
In addition, the farming community commits to:
• Not putting fields on the transhumance routes;
• Not imposing exorbitant charges in the event of damage to fields.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 2-3:
Chapter II: Commitments of the Parties
Article 4
The parties jointly commit to:
• Condemning any act of violence committed by one of the members of their community;
• Investing fully alongside all the authorities in the negotiated management of conflicts related to access to natural resources;
• Referring to the competent authorities of the Central African Republic and Sudan in the event of threats or attacks;
• Seeking peaceful solutions to our differences through an amicable settlement without resorting to armed groups or armed militias close to our community;
• Raising awareness amongst communities;
• Encouraging communities to commit themselves to peace and social cohesion;
• Opposing the theft of livestock regardless of the owner's community and facilitate the search for stolen property and animals so that they can be returned to their owners;
• Regularly monitoring the implementation of this agreement and report on it regularly to the communities.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
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 3:
Chapter II: Commitments of the Parties
Article 4
The parties jointly commit to:
[...]
• Opposing the theft of livestock regardless of the owner's community and facilitate the search for stolen property and animals so that they can be returned to their owners;
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: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 4-5:
Chapter VI: Dispute management
Article 10:
The parties will do everything in their power to settle amicably and by negotiation any dispute arising between them, in the spirit of cooperation and friendship which underlies this peace agreement.
Article 11:
In the event of a breach of the application of this Agreement or in the event of a dispute relating to its interpretation, the Parties will refer the matter to the Monitoring Committee so that a consensual solution is identified and applied.
In the event of breaches, the parties commit to consulting the authorities of the two border regions.

Page 5:
Chapter VII: Terms and conditions
Article 12:
In the event of a serious breach of the application of this Agreement, and of a failure of all attempts at negotiation to remedy it, the Parties may terminate this Agreement. Such termination will take effect on a specified termination date. In this case, the parties will take all necessary measures to minimize the impact of such a decision on the pacification efforts already undertaken under the same agreement.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Available from https://www.hdcentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Birao-accord.pdf (Accessed on 1/4/2020).

Conflict Prevention Agreement between the Vakaga Farmers in the Central African Republic and the Breeders of South Darfur in Sudan

Preamble

We, the Farmers of the Vakaga region in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Breeders of the South Darfur region of Sudan, hereinafter called "the parties";

Considering that our main activities in the two cross-border regions are agriculture and livestock;

Considering that the increase in pastoral pressure, following the droughts of the 1970s and 1980s, pushed Sudanese breeders to come to the northeast of the Central African Republic where the availability of resources remains very important;

Considering that tensions have always existed between our communities concerning the management of natural resources;

Considering that these tensions lead to the regular occurrence of deadly conflicts between our communities;

Aware that these conflicts can fuel the security crisis between our two borders;

Knowing that violence does not resolve conflicts and that we should stop reprisals following the theft of animals or destruction of fields;

Gathered in Birao as part of the dialogue initiated by the Henry Dunant Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) to support the stabilization efforts undertaken by the Central African Government, with the support of the international community, throughout the national territory including Vakaga ;

Agree to the following:

Article 1:

The Parties hereby agree to implement the provisions of this agreement in full and in good faith, recognizing their primary responsibility in this regard.

Chapter I:

Causes and consequences of tensions

Article 2:

The parties agree that the inter-communal tensions observed in the region result from the following elements:

a) Non-compliance with transhumance routes by both parties;

b) Field damage caused by animals of breeders;

c) Theft of oxen;

d) Failure to respect farming areas;

e) Systematic cutting down of shea trees;

f) The extended stays of transhumance parties;

g) Collective attacks on villages and camps;

Article 3:

The parties agree that these tensions also have the following consequences:

a) The death of human beings;

b) The burning of villages;

c) The displacement of populations;

d) Restrictions on access to cultivable land;

e) Social instability;

f) The rapid degradation of biodiversity;

g) Increase in the poverty of the population.

Chapter II:

Commitments of the Parties

Article 4

The parties jointly commit to:

• Condemning any act of violence committed by one of the members of their community;

• Investing fully alongside all the authorities in the negotiated management of conflicts related to access to natural resources;

• Referring to the competent authorities of the Central African Republic and Sudan in the event of threats or attacks;

• Seeking peaceful solutions to our differences through an amicable settlement without resorting to armed groups or armed militias close to our community;

• Raising awareness amongst communities;

• Encouraging communities to commit themselves to peace and social cohesion;

• Opposing the theft of livestock regardless of the owner's community and facilitate the search for stolen property and animals so that they can be returned to their owners;

• Regularly monitoring the implementation of this agreement and report on it regularly to the communities.

Article 5:

In addition, the breeder community commits to:

• Respecting the routes established for the passage of animals;

• Not allowing animals to graze in the fields;

• Paying the costs of any damage caused by animals to the fields according to the local economy;

• Renouncing armed threats or the use of weapons in the event of an altercation;

• Introducing any new arrivals to the village chiefs.

Article 6:

In addition, the farming community commits to:

• Not putting fields on the transhumance routes;

• Not imposing exorbitant charges in the event of damage to fields.

Chapter III:

Recommendations addressed to the States

Article 7:

The parties call on the Central African and Sudanese states to support their pacification efforts for the benefit of peaceful inter-communal coexistence.

More specifically, the parties request:

• The Prefects of Vakaga in CAR and the Governor of South Darfur in Sudan, to continue their actions in favor of peaceful coexistence and endogenous security initiatives along the long border;

• The Central African State to accelerate the implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Repatriation (DDRR) process of armed groups;

• To the Sudanese State to restore peace and security in the country and to disarm the armed militias;

• To both states to strengthen the legitimacy of local traditional and religious authorities so that they are able, as in the past, to work to prevent and manage tensions and conflicts in an impartial manner.

Chapter V:

Implementation monitoring

Article 8:

The Parties undertake to meet at least once during the first year following the signing of this Agreement in order to take stock of the implementation of the Agreement and, if necessary, renew and adjust the commitments.

Article 9:

The Joint Committee will have the following mission:

• Share with the authorities of Vakaga (CAR) and South Darfur (Sudan) this Agreement so that they support its implementation, its appropriation by the communities and therefore strengthen its scope;

• Make a regular point at each beginning and end of the transhumance season with the parties to ensure the implementation of the commitments made under this agreement and to strengthen its scope;

• Prevent and manage disputes between the parties that may lead to non-compliance with this agreement.

Chapter VI:

Dispute management

Article 10:

The parties will do everything in their power to settle amicably and by negotiation any dispute arising between them, in the spirit of cooperation and friendship which underlies this peace agreement.

Article 11:

In the event of a breach of the application of this Agreement or in the event of a dispute relating to its interpretation, the Parties will refer the matter to the Monitoring Committee so that a consensual solution is identified and applied.

In the event of breaches, the parties commit to consulting the authorities of the two border regions.

Chapter VII:

Terms and conditions

Article 12:

In the event of a serious breach of the application of this Agreement, and of a failure of all attempts at negotiation to remedy it, the Parties may terminate this Agreement.

Such termination will take effect on a specified termination date.

In this case, the parties will take all necessary measures to minimize the impact of such a decision on the pacification efforts already undertaken under the same agreement.

Article 13:

This Agreement shall enter into force from the date of its signature by the Parties.

Done in Birao, on June 11, 2019

For the Central African party:

For the Sudanese party:

Witnesses (RCA):

1. Prefect of Vakaga

2. Sultan Mayor of Birao

Witnesses (Sudan):

1. Consul General of Sudan in Birao

2. Mayor of Amdafock in Sudan