Accord de Paix de Birao

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Accord de Paix de Birao
Date: 1 Apr 2007
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: For the Government of the Central African Republic, General NDOUGOU Raymond, Prefect of L’OUHAM PENDE, For the Union of Democratic Forces of Unity, DAMANE Zakaria, Municipal Advisor in GORDIL.
Third parties: -
Description: The parties renew their commitments to immediately stop the hostilities and media campaigns; the concentration of the UFDR troops in one designated zone while they wait to be integrated into the armed forces or civilian life; the creation of a programme for the rehabilitation of former combatants, former militaries and functionaries, and the conditions for the return of displaced people; the release of political prisoners; the participation of the UFDR in the management of the state; the UFDR renounces the armed struggle; the establishment of a follow-up commission; in case of interpretation differences the parties can call upon the national council for mediation; in case one of the parties does to abide to the agreed points, the other disengages too.

Agreement document: CF_070401_BiraoPeaceAccord_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_070401_Birao Peace Accord.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:
... 3. Create the conditions needed to return, reinstall and reinsert all persons displaced by the conflict.
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: Governance→Political parties reform→Rebels transitioning to political parties
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 the constitution.
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: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Merger of forces
Page 1, Article 2
The containment of the troops of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity 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. Create the conditions needed to rehabilitate the troops of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity, and to integrate them with the defence and security forces in line with current legislation

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: Page 1, PREAMBLE,
• Determined to consolidate the rule of law, good governance, with consequent 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 the reconstruction of the country and establishing democracy;
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 1, 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.

Page 2, Article 6
The unequivocal renunciation by the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity of the use of armed struggle as a means to communicate its message.
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: 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
Page 1, 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.

Page 2, Article 6
The unequivocal renunciation by the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity of the use of armed struggle as a means to communicate its message.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 2, Article 3
The implementation of an urgent and top priority programme to:
...
2. Return ex-communicated Central African soldiers and Union of Democratic Forces for Unity civilian staff to their original training and service units.

Page 2, Article 4
The liberation of political prisoners and the declaration of a general amnesty for the Central African troops and fighters of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 1, Article 2
The containment of the troops of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity 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. Create the conditions needed to rehabilitate the troops of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity, and to integrate them with the defence and security forces in line with current legislation
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 2, Article 3
The implementation of an urgent and top priority programme to:
1. Create the conditions needed to rehabilitate the troops of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity, and to integrate them with the defence and security forces in line with current legislation
2. Return ex-communicated Central African soldiers and Union of Democratic Forces for Unity civilian staff to their original training and service units.

Page 2, Article 4
The liberation of political prisoners and the declaration of a general amnesty for the Central African troops and fighters of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity

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 the constitution.

Page 2, Article 6
The unequivocal renunciation by the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity of the use of armed struggle as a means to communicate its message
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
The liberation of political prisoners and the declaration of a general amnesty for the Central African troops and fighters of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 2, Article 4
The liberation of political prisoners and the declaration of a general amnesty for the Central African troops and fighters of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity.
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;

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 the constitution.

Implementation

UN signatory: (witness) signed by UN Special Rep. to the CAR General Lamine Cisse
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 2, Article 7
The creation of a monitoring commission for implementation of the present agreement, which may call upon any qualified person for their advice.

Page 2, Article 8
In case of any differences in opinion or difficulties in implementing the present agreement, either of the parties may refer to the National Mediation Council. If any difference in opinion persists despite the efforts of this Committee, either party may refer to the President of the Ad Hoc Committee, on Central African questions, his Excellency El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, President of the Republic of Gabon, which this agreement requires us all to consider.

Page 2, Article 9
In case of any flagrant and deliberate violation, duly noted, by either of the parties of the provisions of this agreement, the other party will withdraw from it in its entirety.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: UN Peacemaker, English in Uppsala

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THE BIRAO PEACE AGREEMENT

Peace agreement

Between

the Government of the Central African Republic

and the following Politico-Military Movement:

the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity

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 thereconstruction of the country and establishing democracy;

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

The Government of the Central African Republic and the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity agree to 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 Union of Democratic Forces for Unity 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:

Create the conditions needed to rehabilitate the troops of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity, and to integrate them with the defence and security forces in line with current legislation;

Return Central African soldiers and Union of Democratic Forces for Unity civilian staff to their original training and service units.

Create the conditions needed to return, reinstall and reinsert all persons displaced by the conflict.

Article 4:

The liberation of political prisoners and the declaration of a general amnesty for the Central African troops and fighters of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity.

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 the constitution.

Article 6:

The unequivocal renunciation by the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity of the use of armed struggle as a means to communicate its message.

Article 7:

The creation of a monitoring commission for implementation of the present agreement, which may call upon any qualified person for their advice.

Article 8:

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

If any difference in opinion persists despite the efforts of this Committee, either party may refer to the President of the Ad Hoc Committee, on Central African questions, his Excellency El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, President of the Republic of Gabon, which this agreement requires us all to consider .

Article 9:

In case of any flagrant and deliberate violation, duly noted, by either of the parties of the provisions of this agreement, the other party will withdraw from it in its entirety.

Article 10:

The present Peace Agreement enters into force upon signature.

It may be signed by any group, movement or individual prepared to formally accept and adhere to each of its clauses.

Done in xxxx April 4, 2007

For the Government of the Central African Republic

For the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity

General NDOUGOU Raymond

Zacharia DAMANE

Prefect of L’OUHAM PENDE

Municipal Advisor in GORDIL

Difficult to translate the last phrase of this sentence.

Handwriting illegible