Accord de cessez le feu et de paix entre le Gouvernement de la République Centrafricaine et le mouvement politique et militaire Centrafricain APRD

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Accord de cessez le feu et de paix entre le Gouvernement de la République Centrafricaine et le mouvement politique et militaire Centrafricain APRD
Date: 9 May 2008
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: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: CAR: coups and rebellions process
Parties: ONT SIGNE:
Pour le Gouvernement Centrafricain, Monsieur Cyriaque GONDA, Ministre de Communication, du Civisme, du Dialogue et de la Réconciliation Nationale.
Pour l'Armée Populaire pour la Restauration de la Démocratie (APRD): Maître Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH, Président
Pour le Président de la République Gabonaise, Président du Comité ad hoc, dans l'espace CEMAC, sur les questions centrafricaines, Madame Laure Olga GONDJOUT, Ministredes Affaires Etrangères, et de la Coopération, de la Francophonie et de l'Intégration Régionale
Third parties: EN PRESENCE DE : Son Excellence El Hadj Omar BONGO ONDIMBA, Président de la République Gabonaise, Président du Comité ad hoc, dans l'espace CEMAC, sur les questions centrafricaines
Description: This agreement provides for an immediate ceasefire between the CAR Government and the APRD. Issues covered inculude DDR, provisions for security and peace during the dialogue, provisions for amnesty and liberation of prisoners, and the creation of an implementation commission.

Agreement document: CF_080509_Accord de Cessez le Feu entre le Gouvernement et APRD-tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_080509_Accord de Cessez le Feu entre le Gouvernement et APRD.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: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Substantive
Page 2, Article 3
The implementation of an urgent and top priority programme to:
...
2. Create the conditions needed to repatriate, reinstall and reinsert all persons displaced both internally and abroad
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: Page 1, PREAMBLE
• Considering the ongoing desire of His Excellency (Army) General François BOZIZE, President of the Republic, Head of State, reiterated in his speech to the nation of 31 December 2006, to promote tolerance, dialogue and reconciliation among all the sons and daughters of Central Africa;
Men and boys: Gender→Men and boys→Gender neutral wording
Page 1, PREAMBLE
• Considering the ongoing desire of His Excellency (Army) General François BOZIZE, President of the Republic, Head of State, reiterated in his speech to the nation of 31 December 2006, to promote tolerance, dialogue and reconciliation among all the sons and daughters of Central Africa;
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: Power sharing→Political power sharing→Executive coalition
State level
Page 2,
Article 5: The participation of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity in managing government business, in a spirit of reconciliation and in line with the provisions of theconstitution.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Merger of forces
Page 2, Article 2
The containment of the troops of the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) in their present locations, pending their integration with the defence and security forces and their incorporation in civilian life.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: Page 1, PREAMBLE
...
• Determined to consolidate rule of law, good governance, and related social progress, and complete entitlement to fundamental liberties guaranteed under law;
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 1, PREAMBLE
...
• Conscious of the need for dialogue to establish a durable peace throughout the national territory, an essential precondition for reconstruction of the country and the establishment of democracy;
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 2, Article 1
An immediate cessation of hostilities and abstention from all military activities and all other forms of violence, as well as the closure of all media campaigns designed to prevent attempts to develop a spirit of fraternity and national harmony.
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: Page 2, Article 4
In order to establish a secure and peaceful environment for inclusive political dialogue, the parties agree to end all judicial proceedings currently under process concerning civilian and military members of the APRD in Central African jurisdictions, whatever the cause, by adopting a law for the general amnesty and liberation of any detained civilian and military members of the APRD.
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: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
[The whole agreement provides for a ceasefire and its modalities]

Page 3, Article 7
• The present agreement enters into force upon signature.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 2, Article 2
The containment of the troops of the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) in their present locations, pending their integration with the defence and security forces and their incorporation in civilian life.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 2, Article 2
The containment of the troops of the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) in their present locations, pending their integration with the defence and security forces and their incorporation in civilian life.

Page 2, Article 3
The implementation of an urgent and top priority programme to:
1. Return expelled Central African soldiers and APRD civilian staff to their original training and service units.

Page 2, Article 4
In order to establish a secure and peaceful environment for inclusive political dialogue, the parties agree to end all judicial proceedings currently under process concerning civilian and military members of the APRD in Central African jurisdictions, whatever the cause, by adopting a law for the general amnesty and liberation of any detained civilian and military members of the APRD.

Page 2, Article 5
The signatories will establish a monitoring commission for implementation of the present Agreement composed of:
- 3 representatives of the Central African Government
- 3 representatives of the APRD.
The monitoring commission for application of the present Agreement may call upon the President of the ad hoc committee for his advice.
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: Transitional justice→Amnesty/pardon→Amnesty/pardon proper
Page 2, Article 4
In order to establish a secure and peaceful environment for inclusive political dialogue, the parties agree to end all judicial proceedings currently under process concerning civilian and military members of the APRD in Central African jurisdictions, whatever the cause, by adopting a law for the general amnesty and liberation of any detained civilian and military members of the APRD.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 2, Article 4
In order to establish a secure and peaceful environment for inclusive political dialogue, the parties agree to end all judicial proceedings currently under process concerning civilian and military members of the APRD in Central African jurisdictions, whatever the cause, by adopting a law for the general amnesty and liberation of any detained civilian and military members of the APRD.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, PREAMBLE
• Considering the ongoing desire of His Excellency (Army) General François BOZIZE, President of the Republic, Head of State, reiterated in his speech to the nation of 31 December 2006, to promote tolerance, dialogue and reconciliation among all the sons and daughters of Central Africa;

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: ONT SIGNE:
. . .

Pour le Président de la République Gabonaise, Président du Comité ad hoc, dans l'espace CEMAC, sur les questions centrafricaines, Madame Laure Olga GONDJOUT, Ministredes Affaires Etrangères, et de la Coopération, de la Francophonie et de l'Intégration Régionale

EN PRESENCE DE : Son Excellence El Hadj Omar BONGO ONDIMBA, Président de la République Gabonaise, Président du Comité ad hoc, dans l'espace CEMAC, sur les questions centrafricaines
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 2, Article 5
The signatories will establish a monitoring commission for implementation of the present Agreement composed of:
- 3 representatives of the Central African Government
- 3 representatives of the APRD.
The monitoring commission for application of the present Agreement may call upon the President of the ad hoc committee for his advice.

Page 2, Article 6
In case of any differences in opinion or difficulties in implementing the present agreement, either of the parties may refer to the Monitoring Committee. If any difference in opinion persists despite the efforts of this Committee, either party may refer to the President of the CEMAC Region Ad Hoc Committee, on those Central African questions, which this agreement requires us all to consider.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: UN Peacemaker: http://peacemaker.un.org/

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CEASEFIRE AND PEACE AGREEMENT

between

the Government of the Central African Republic

and

the Political and Military Central African Movement:

the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD)

Preamble

Considering the relevant provisions of the United Nations Charter, the African Union, the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) and national resolutions pertaining to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, notably the robust recommendations of the National Dialogue and the Code of Good Conduct;

Conscious of the need for dialogue to establish a durable peace throughout the national territory, an essential precondition for reconstruction of the country and the establishment of democracy;

Determined to consolidate a state of law, good governance, and related social progress, and complete entitlement to fundamental liberties guaranteed under law;

Considering the desire of the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD), confirmed by its President, Mr Jean-Jacques DEFAMOUTH, to take part in the inclusive political dialogue in Central Africa and to sign a Ceasefire and Peace Agreement with the Central African government;

Responding to mediation by His Excellency, El Hadj Omar BONGO ONDIMBA, President of the Republic of Gabon and President of the CEMAC Ad Hoc Committee on Central African questions;

corroborated by the final Libreville Declaration of 23 April 2008;

the Government of the Central African Republic, and the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy, agree the following:

Article 1:

An immediate cessation of hostilities and abstention from all military activities and all other forms of violence, as well as the closure of all media campaigns designed to prevent attempts to develop a spirit of fraternity and national harmony.

Article 2:

The containment of the troops of the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) in their present locations, pending their integration with the defence and security forces and their incorporation in civilian life.

Article 3:

The implementation of an urgent and top priority programme to:

Return expelled Central African soldiers and APRD civilian staff to their original training and service units.

Create the conditions needed to repatriate, reinstall and reinsertall persons displaced both internally and abroad;

Implement an “urgent rehabilitation plan” in those zones affected by the conflict in the North, North-West and Centre.

Article 4:

In order to establish a secure and peaceful environment for inclusive political dialogue, the parties agree to end all judicial proceedings currently under process concerning civilian and military members of the APRD in Central African jurisdictions, whatever the cause, by adopting a law for the general amnesty and liberation of any detained civilian and military members of the APRD.

Article 5:

The signatories will establish a monitoring commission for implementation of the present Agreement composed of:

3 representatives of the Central African Government

3 representatives of the APRD.

The monitoring commission for application of the present Agreement may call upon the President of the ad hoc committee for his advice.

Article 6:

In case of any differences in opinion or difficulties in implementing the present agreement, either of the parties may refer to the Monitoring Committee.

If any difference in opinion persists despite the efforts of this Committee, either party may refer to the President of the CEMAC Region Ad Hoc Committee, on those Central African questions, .

Article 7:

The present agreement enters into force upon signature.

Donne in Libreville, May 9, 2008

IN THE PRESENCE OF:

His Excellency El Hadj Omar BONGO ONDIMBA, President of the Republic of Gabon, President of the CEMAC Region Ad Hoc Committee on Central African questions

Have signed

Signatures