National Reconciliation Pact (Bangui National Reconciliation Conference)

Country/entity
Central African Republic
Region
Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name
National Reconciliation Pact (Bangui National Reconciliation Conference)
Date
5 Mar 1998
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Stage
Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature
Government
Peace process
CAR: Bangui process
Parties
His Excellency Ange-Félix PATASSÉ
President of the Republic
Government
National Assembly
Judiciary
Armed Forces of the Central African Republic
Association of Mayor
Political parties
ADP Alliance pour la démocratie et le progrès
CDCAD Carrefour démocratique centrafricain pour le
développement
CN Convention nationale
ELAN Effort libéral en Afrique noire
FC Forum Civique
FPP Front patriotique pour le progrès
GILA-MND Mouvement national pour le développement
MDD Mouvement pour la démocratie et le développement
MLPC Mouvement de libération du peuple centrafricain
MSCA Mouvement socialiste centrafricain
PAD Parti pour l'action et le développement
PARELI Parti républicain libéral
PCD Parti chrétien démocrate
PLD Parti libéral démocrate
PRC Parti républicain centrafricain
PSD Parti social démocrate
MDI/PS Mouvement pour la démocratie, l'indépendance et le
progrès social
MESAN Mouvement d'évolution sociale de l'Afrique noire
MESAN BOGANDA Mouvement d'évolution sociale de l'Afrique
noire/Barthélemy Boganda
MDRC Mouvement pour la démocratie en république
centrafricaine
MNR Mouvement national pour le renouveau
MUD Mouvement pour l'unité et le développement
RDC Rassemblement démocratique centrafricaine
UDRP Union pour la démocratie et le renouveau panafricain
UDR/FK Union démocratique républicaine/Fimi Kodro
UNDD Union nationale pour la défense de la démocratie
UPR Union pour la République
UPDES Union du peuple pour le développement économique et
sociale
Trade unions:
CNTC Confédération nationale des travailleurs centrafricains
OSLP Organisation des syndicats libres des secteurs public,
parapublic et privé
Patronat
USTC Union syndicale des travailleurs centrafricains
USCC Union syndicale des chargeurs centrafricains
UNTC Union nationale des travailleurs centrafricains
Religious denominations:
AEEC Association des églises évangéliques centrafricaines
Catholic Church
CICA Communauté islamique centrafricain
Human rights, justice and democracy:
ACAT Association centrafricaine de lutte contre la torture et
l'abolition de la peine de mort
AFJC Association des femmes juristes de Centrafrique
GERDES Groupement d'études et de recherches pour la démocratie
et le développement economique et social
LCDH Ligue centrafricaine des droits de l'homme
GRPS Groupe de réflexion politique et sociale
LONDO Levons-nous
MDDH Mouvement pour la défense des droits de l'homme
S/1998/219
English
Page 8
GAMPCC Groupe des artistes musiciens pour la promotion de la
culture en Centrafrique
OCDH Observatoire centrafricain des droits de l'homme
GRADDER Groupe de réflexion et d'action pour la défense de la
démocratie républicaine
CNDH Commission nationale des droits de l'homme
National organizations:
OFCA Organisation des femmes centrafricaines
KOLI-OUALI GALA Hommes et femmes commerçants
FNEC Fédération nationale des éleveurs centrafricains
Fed. BOUBA-NGUERE Fédération des vendeurs ambulants
JEC Jeunesse étudiante chrétiennes
FESCA Fédération du Scoutisme centrafricain
USCA Union scolaire centrafricaine
CNOSCA Comité national olympique du sport centrafricain
ACCB Association des commerçants centrafricains du bétail
ANEC Association nationale des étudiants centrafricains
ONAPHA Organisation nationale des personnes handicapées
UMCA Union des musiciens centrafricains
AVIMUT Association des victimes des mutineries
CIONGCA Conseil inter-organisation non gouvernementale de
Centrafrique
ANBC Association nationale des bouchers centrafricains
FNCJ Fédération nationale des clubs des jeunesses
Occupational organization:
UNPC Union nationale du patronat centrafricain
Third parties
-
Description
Largely rhetorical declaration involving principled commitments. Involves a large number of civil and political groups in the country, committing to democracy, reconciliation, and addressing poverty.


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 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
Convinced of the need to establish a definitive national reconciliation pact between all Central Africans so as to put an end to political, economic and social practices characterized by nepotism, tribalism, exclusion and poor governance

Page 2, Article 1
The parties signatory to this Pact solemnly undertake to practise good governance, excluding nepotism, clanship, tribalism, political patronage and misappropriation of funds
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 6, Signatory parties
....
OFCA Organisation des femmes centrafricaines
KOLI-OUALI GALA Hommes et femmes commerçants
Men and boys

No specific mention.

LGBTI

No specific mention.

Family
Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
Gauging the seriousness of the socio-economic crisis, characterized by growing poverty, the breakdown of family and social ties, the decline in Central African purchasing power and food production and the emergence of famine and widespread malnutrition, which are sources of disturbances and social conflict

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)
Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→General references
Page 2, Article 2
The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority
Elections
Page 2, Article 2
The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority
Electoral commission

No specific mention.

Political parties reform

No specific mention.

Civil society
Agreement signed by civil society actors:

Trade unions:
CNTC Confédération nationale des travailleurs centrafricains
OSLP Organisation des syndicats libres des secteurs public,
parapublic et privé
Patronat
USTC Union syndicale des travailleurs centrafricains
USCC Union syndicale des chargeurs centrafricains
UNTC Union nationale des travailleurs centrafricains

Religious denominations:
AEEC Association des églises évangéliques centrafricaines
Catholic Church
CICA Communauté islamique centrafricain
Human rights, justice and democracy:
ACAT Association centrafricaine de lutte contre la torture et
l'abolition de la peine de mort
AFJC Association des femmes juristes de Centrafrique
GERDES Groupement d'études et de recherches pour la démocratie
et le développement economique et social
LCDH Ligue centrafricaine des droits de l'homme
GRPS Groupe de réflexion politique et sociale
LONDO Levons-nous
MDDH Mouvement pour la défense des droits de l'homme
S/1998/219
English
Page 8
GAMPCC Groupe des artistes musiciens pour la promotion de la
culture en Centrafrique
OCDH Observatoire centrafricain des droits de l'homme
GRADDER Groupe de réflexion et d'action pour la défense de la
démocratie républicaine
CNDH Commission nationale des droits de l'homme
National organizations:
OFCA Organisation des femmes centrafricaines
KOLI-OUALI GALA Hommes et femmes commerçants
FNEC Fédération nationale des éleveurs centrafricains
Fed. BOUBA-NGUERE Fédération des vendeurs ambulants
JEC Jeunesse étudiante chrétiennes
FESCA Fédération du Scoutisme centrafricain
USCA Union scolaire centrafricaine
CNOSCA Comité national olympique du sport centrafricain
ACCB Association des commerçants centrafricains du bétail
ANEC Association nationale des étudiants centrafricains
ONAPHA Organisation nationale des personnes handicapées
UMCA Union des musiciens centrafricains
AVIMUT Association des victimes des mutineries
CIONGCA Conseil inter-organisation non gouvernementale de
Centrafrique
ANBC Association nationale des bouchers centrafricains
FNCJ Fédération nationale des clubs des jeunesses
Occupational organization:
UNPC Union nationale du patronat centrafricain
Traditional/religious leaders
[Summary] Agreement is signed by religious groups.

Page 5, Religious denominations:
AEEC Association des églises évangéliques centrafricaines
Catholic Church
CICA Communauté islamique centrafricain
Public administration

No specific mention.

Constitution
Governance→Constitution→Constitution affirmation/renewal
Page 2, Article 2
The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority.

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, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
...
Considering the flagrant violation of human rights linked to political and military crises

Page 2, Article 2
The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority

Page 3, Article 6
The signatories undertake to work together to create the political, social and economic conditions necessary to prevent any violations of human rights.
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, Article 2
The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority
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 2, Article 3
The signatories call on all Central Africans to unite in rebuilding the country, which has been destabilized politically and torn apart economically, culturally and socially.

Page 2, Article 4
The parties signatory to this Pact undertake to launch a frontal attack on poverty, and to support the State in its quest for ways and means of restoring a sound national economy and equitably distributing resources, on the one hand and, on the other, in its efforts to improve the social sectors of education and health, while giving priority attention to the regular payment of wages, scholarships and pensions.
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 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
...
Considering the upsurge of insecurity in Bangui and in the interior, owing to the proliferation of weapons and the phenomenon of highway banditry,
Convinced that only an effort by the entire national community, supported by the international community, can make it possible to find ways and means of restoring peace and security, a sine qua non of the effective resumption of socio-economic activities for peaceful, lasting development
Ceasefire

No specific mention.

Police

No specific mention.

Armed forces
Page 2, Article 2
The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority
DDR
Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Page 2, Article 5
The parties signatory to this Pact launch a strong appeal to the international community to assist the national and international forces of order in their sensitive mission to collect the weapons spread throughout the country and to restore order.
Intelligence services

No specific mention.

Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces

No specific mention.

Withdrawal of foreign forces

No specific mention.

Corruption
Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
...
Considering the upsurge of insecurity in Bangui and in the interior, owing to the proliferation of weapons and the phenomenon of highway banditry,

Page 2, Article 1
The parties signatory to this Pact solemnly undertake to practise good governance, excluding nepotism, clanship, tribalism, political patronage and misappropriation of funds
Crime/organised crime
Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
...
Considering the upsurge of insecurity in Bangui and in the interior, owing to the proliferation of weapons and the phenomenon of highway banditry,

Page 2, Article 1
The parties signatory to this Pact solemnly undertake to practise good governance, excluding nepotism, clanship, tribalism, political patronage and misappropriation of funds
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 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
...
Convinced of the need to establish a definitive national reconciliation pact between all Central Africans so as to put an end to political, economic and social practices characterized by nepotism, tribalism, exclusion and poor governance

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 2, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
...
Aware of the need to establish a Monitoring and Arbitration Committee responsible for settling any disputes that may arise from non-compliance with the provisions of this Pact

Page 2, Article 5
The parties signatory to this Pact launch a strong appeal to the international community to assist the national and international forces of order in their sensitive mission to collect the weapons spread throughout the country and to restore order.

Page 3, Article 7
The parties signatory to this Pact decide to establish a Monitoring and Arbitration Committee to monitor the implementation of the undertakings set forth in this Pact and to serve as an arbitrator in any disputes that may arise.
They undertake to have recourse to the Committee in the case of non-compliance with the provisions of this Pact.
The composition, powers and functions of the Monitoring and Arbitration Committee are set forth as an annex to this Pact.
Related cases

No specific mention.

Source
UN Peacemaker. Available at: https://peacemaker.un.org/carnationalreconciliationpact98 (Accessed 6 October 2020).

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION PACT

National Reconciliation Conference, held in Bangui from 26 February to 5 March 1998

The parties signatory to this Pact:

In view of the Constitution of 14 January 1995,

Noting the grave political and military crisis which shook the Central African Republic in 1996 and

1997,

Recognizing that this crisis nearly engulfed the entire country in chaos, which would have entailed

incalculable consequences for the preservation of national unity and sovereignty,

Aware of the fact that the meeting on consensus-building and dialogue held in Bangui from 11 to 18

January 1997 rekindled the hopes of Central Africans that solutions to this crisis would be found,

Convinced of the commitment of the signatories to respect the conclusions of the Bangui Agreements

and to strive to restore a genuine, lasting peace,

Gauging the seriousness of the socio-economic crisis, characterized by growing poverty, the

breakdown of family and social ties, the decline in Central African purchasing power and food

production and the emergence of famine and widespread malnutrition, which are sources of

disturbances and social conflict,

Considering the upsurge of insecurity in Bangui and in the interior, owing to the proliferation of

weapons and the phenomenon of highway banditry,

Convinced that only an effort by the entire national community, supported by the international

community, can make it possible to find ways and means of restoring peace and security, a sine qua

non of the effective resumption of socio-economic activities for peaceful, lasting development,

Considering the flagrant violation of human rights linked to political and military crises,

Noting the repeated violations of the commitments made by Central Africans to each other,

Convinced of the need to establish a definitive national reconciliation pact between all Central

Africans so as to put an end to political, economic and social practices characterized by nepotism,

tribalism, exclusion and poor

governance,

Aware of the need to establish a Monitoring and Arbitration Committee responsible for settling any

disputes that may arise from non-compliance with the provisions of this Pact,

In view of the relevant recommendations resulting from the work of the National Reconciliation

Conference,

Have solemnly agreed as follows:

Article 1

The parties signatory to this Pact solemnly undertake to practise good governance, excluding

nepotism, clanship, tribalism, political patronage and misappropriation of funds,

They also undertake to settle or help to settle, through dialogue and consensus-building, all

disputes that may arise.

Article 2

The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government

power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government

power.

They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow

terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the

national Constitution.

They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people

and respect the rights of the minority.

Article 3

The signatories call on all Central Africans to unite in rebuilding the country, which has been

destabilized politically and torn apart economically, culturally and socially.

Article 4

The parties signatory to this Pact undertake to launch a frontal attack on poverty, and to support

the State in its quest for ways and means of restoring a sound national economy and equitably

distributing resources, on the one hand and, on the other, in its efforts to improve the social

sectors of education and health, while giving priority attention to the regular payment of wages,

scholarships and pensions.

Article 5

The parties signatory to this Pact launch a strong appeal to the international community to assist

the national and international forces of order in their sensitive mission to collect the weapons

spread throughout the country and to restore order.

Article 6

The signatories undertake to work together to create the political, social and economic conditions

necessary to prevent any violations of human rights.

Article 7

The parties signatory to this Pact decide to establish a Monitoring and Arbitration Committee to

monitor the implementation of the undertakings set forth in this Pact and to serve as an arbitrator

in any disputes that may arise.

They undertake to have recourse to the Committee in the case of non-compliance with the provisions

of this Pact.

The composition, powers and functions of the Monitoring and Arbitration Committee are set forth as

an annex to this Pact.

Article 8

The parties signatory to this Pact undertake to respect scrupulously the provisions contained

therein.

DONE at Bangui on 5 March 1998

[Signed]

His Excellency Ange-Félix PATASSÉ President of the Republic

Government National Assembly Judiciary

Armed Forces of the Central African Republic

Association of Mayor

Political parties

ADP Alliance pour la démocratie et le progrès

CDCAD Carrefour démocratique centrafricain pour le développement

CN Convention nationale

ELAN Effort libéral en Afrique noire

FC Forum Civique

FPP Front patriotique pour le progrès

GILA-MND Mouvement national pour le développement

MDD Mouvement pour la démocratie et le développement

MLPC Mouvement de libération du peuple centrafricain

MSCA Mouvement socialiste centrafricain

PAD Parti pour l'action et le développement

PARELI Parti républicain libéral

PCD Parti chrétien démocrate

PLD Parti libéral démocrate

PRC Parti républicain centrafricain

PSD Parti social démocrate

MDI/PS Mouvement pour la démocratie, l'indépendance et le progrès social

MESAN Mouvement d'évolution sociale de l'Afrique noire MESAN BOGANDA Mouvement

d'évolution sociale de l'Afrique

noire/Barthélemy Boganda

MDRC Mouvement pour la démocratie en république centrafricaine

MNR Mouvement national pour le renouveau

MUD Mouvement pour l'unité et le développement

RDC Rassemblement démocratique centrafricaine

UDRP Union pour la démocratie et le renouveau panafricain

UDR/FK Union démocratique républicaine/Fimi Kodro

UNDD Union nationale pour la défense de la démocratie

UPR Union pour la République

UPDES Union du peuple pour le développement économique et sociale

Trade unions:

CNTC Confédération nationale des travailleurs centrafricains

OSLP Organisation des syndicats libres des secteurs public, parapublic et privé

Patronat

USTC Union syndicale des travailleurs centrafricains

USCC Union syndicale des chargeurs centrafricains

UNTC Union nationale des travailleurs centrafricains Religious denominations:

AEEC Association des églises évangéliques centrafricaines Catholic Church

CICA Communauté islamique centrafricain Human rights, justice and democracy:

ACAT Association centrafricaine de lutte contre la torture et l'abolition de la peine

de mort

AFJC Association des femmes juristes de Centrafrique

GERDES Groupement d'études et de recherches pour la démocratie et le développement

economique et social

LCDH Ligue centrafricaine des droits de l'homme

GRPS Groupe de réflexion politique et sociale

LONDO Levons-nous

MDDH Mouvement pour la défense des droits de l'homme

S/1998/219

English Page 8

GAMPCC Groupe des artistes musiciens pour la promotion de la culture en Centrafrique

OCDH Observatoire centrafricain des droits de l'homme GRADDER Groupe de

réflexion et d'action pour la défense de la

démocratie républicaine

CNDH Commission nationale des droits de l'homme National organizations:

OFCA Organisation des femmes centrafricaines KOLI-OUALI GALA Hommes et femmes

commerçants

FNEC Fédération nationale des éleveurs centrafricains Fed.

BOUBA-NGUERE Fédération

des vendeurs ambulants

JEC Jeunesse étudiante chrétiennes

FESCA Fédération du Scoutisme centrafricain

USCA Union scolaire centrafricaine

CNOSCA Comité national olympique du sport centrafricain ACCB Association

des commerçants centrafricains du bétail

ANEC Association nationale des étudiants centrafricains ONAPHA Organisation

nationale des personnes handicapées UMCA Union des musiciens centrafricains

AVIMUT Association des victimes des mutineries

CIONGCA Conseil inter-organisation non gouvernementale de Centrafrique

ANBC Association nationale des bouchers centrafricains

FNCJ Fédération nationale des clubs des jeunesses Occupational organization:

UNPC Union nationale du patronat centrafricain

-----