Agreement from a verbal process between the Government, the guarantors, facilitators, and Mr Ali Darassa

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Agreement from a verbal process between the Government, the guarantors, facilitators, and Mr Ali Darassa
Date: 30 Jul 2020
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: African Initiative (and related) Process
Parties: Page 2,

(SIGNATORIES)

The Leader of the UPC

Ali Darass

The Special Representative of the President of the Commission of the African Union

Mathias Bertino Matondo

The Ambassador Representative of the Secretary General of CEEAC

Adolphe Nahayo

The Prime Minister (illegible) the Government

Firmin N'grebada
Third parties: Listed on page 1 as present, but not signing:

Ms. Denise Brown, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations;

Ms. Laeticia Jeanne Marie Boukoro Amphy Wang, Leader of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet.
Description: This is an agreement in which the government and the leader of UPC (Ali Darassa) agree on Darassa's status, and in return he commits to retreat of the UPC troops, not challenging the government, supporting the electoral process, and similar. The agreement is controversial as Darassa later claimed he was coerced into signing.

Agreement document: CF_200730-Agreement from a verbal process-TR.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_200730_Agreement from a verbal process between the Government the guarantors facilitators and Mr Ali Darassa.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: Page 2:

Per the discussions, Mr. Ali Darassa agrees to:

[...]

7. Support the electoral process by ensuring free movement of agents from the National Election Authority and various actors.
Electoral commission: Page 2:

Per the discussions, Mr. Ali Darassa agrees to:

[...]

7. Support the electoral process by ensuring free movement of agents from the National Election Authority and various actors.
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 1-2:

Per the discussions, Mr. Ali Darassa agrees to:

[...]

7. Support the electoral process by ensuring free movement of agents from the National Election Authority and various actors.
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: 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: Page 2:
For its part, the Government shall create favourable conditions to:

1. Install Mr. Ali Darassa in Bambari in a position similar to that of Mr. Sidiki Abass.

2. Reinforce an effective and permanent communication and consultation mechanism between the Government and the leaders of former armed groups – the UPC in the instant case.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 1-2:

Per the discussions, Mr. Ali Darassa agrees to:

[...]

5. Create conditions to facilitate DDRR processes with UPC
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1-2:

Per the discussions, Mr. Ali Darassa agrees to:

1. Not infringe upon the authority of the State in all its components;

2. Immediately withdraw UPC troops from Bambouli;

3. Not have contact with the mercenary Moussa Assymei;

4. Publish a press release canceling the declaration of friendship with 3R;

5. Create conditions to facilitate DDRR processes with UPC

6. Refrain from any act which comes under the sovereign jurisdiction of the Government;

7. Support the electoral process by ensuring free movement of agents from the National Election Authority and various actors.

Page 2:
For its part, the Government shall create favourable conditions to:

1. Install Mr. Ali Darassa in Bambari in a position similar to that of Mr. Sidiki Abass.

2. Reinforce an effective and permanent communication and consultation mechanism between the Government and the leaders of former armed groups – the UPC in the instant case.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: Page 2:

The Special Representative of the President of the Commission of the African Union

Mathias Bertino Matondo

The Ambassador Representative of the Secretary General of CEEAC

Adolphe Nahayo
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N21/007/99/PDF/N2100799.pdf?OpenElement (p. 72-73) (Accessed on 14/6/22)

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

***** Unity-Dignity-Work

CABINET DEPARTMENT *****

*****

No. ___

/PM/DIRCAB.20

MINUTES OF PRIVATE MEETING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT, GUARANTORS, MEDIATORS AND MR.

ALI DARASS

In the year twenty twenty, on the twenty fifth of July, at 2pm, a private meeting was held in the Prime Minister’s office between the Government, guarantors, Peace Agreement Mediators and Mr. ALI DARASSA, leader of the UPC.

The following were present:

His Excellency Firmin Ngrebada, Prime Minister, Head of Government

Mr. Adolphe Nahayo, Ambassador, Representative of the Secretary General of the CEEAC;

Mr. Mathias Bertino Matondo, President’s Special Representative at the African Union Commission;

Ms. Denise Brown, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations;

Mr. Ali Darassa, Leader of the UPC;

Ms. Laeticia Jeanne Marie Boukoro Amphy Wang, Leader of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet.

The goal of this private meeting was to discuss the following points:

Any relationship between Mr. Ali Daras and the mercenary Moussa Assymei

The alliance between Mr. Ali Darassa and Mr. Sidiki, leader of 3R

Implementation of DDRR processes with UPC

UPC declaration on refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The ongoing process of safeguarding the electoral process.

Per the discussions, Mr. Ali Darassa agrees to:

Not infringe upon the authority of the State in all its components;

Immediately withdraw UPC troops from Bambouli;

Not have contact with the mercenary Moussa Assymei;

Publish a press release canceling the declaration of friendship with 3R;

Create conditions to facilitate DDRR processes with UPC

Refrain from any act which comes under the sovereign jurisdiction of the Government;

Support the electoral process by ensuring free movement of agents from the National Election Authority and various actors.

For its part, the Government shall create favourable conditions to:

Install Mr. Ali Darassa in Bambari in a position similar to that of Mr. Sidiki Abass.

Reinforce an effective and permanent communication and consultation mechanism between the Government and the leaders of former armed groups – the UPC in the instant case.

In witness whereof, the present minutes are established on the day, month and year stated hereinabove for all legal intents and purposes.

Done in Bangui on 30 JULY 2020

(SIGNATORIES)

The Leader of the UPC

Ali Darass

The Special Representative of the President of the Commision of the African Union

Mathias Bertino Matondo

The Ambasseder Representative of the Secretary General of CEEAC

Adolphe Nahayo

The Prime Minister (illigible) the Government

Firmin N'grebada