Accord Entre Les Groupes Armes de Batangafo

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Accord Entre Les Groupes Armes de Batangafo
Date: 9 Jan 2019
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local conflict
Afghan Wars (1979 - )
The agreements are drawn from two distinct conflict periods. Post Soviet-intervention period. First, after an uprising against the communist government, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979 and set up a puppet government. Fierce resistance came in on the form of domestic and foreign Mujahidin fighters who, by 1988, forced the Soviet Union to withdraw. The Communist government that remained was defeated in 1992 against a background of violence, which spiralled into a tumultuous multi-party civil war with a strong tribal basis. In 1993 a peace accord was signed, but by 1994 the conflict realigned itself as the Islamic-based Taliban emerged from the refugee camps, eventually occupying the capital city of Kabul in September 1996 spurring groups that had militantly opposed the communist government to unite in opposition to the Taliban.

Post US-intervention period. After the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan and removed the Taliban from power. In December 2001, the UNSC mandated the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to assist Afghanistan’s interim authorities. In 2003 ISAF command was placed under NATO’s responsibility. Within three years, however, the Taliban managed to re-group and re-structure and launched intense resistance to the internationally-recognized Afghanistan government and NATO support troops. Despite this resurgence of the Taliban, NATO leaders lacked the necessary support for the mission abroad, and NATO troops were withdrawn by the end of 2014.
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: Local Processes
Parties: The ex-Seleka of Batangafo
The anti Balaka of Batangafo
The religious groups
The civil society
The youth
The Peace and Social Cohesion Committee for the sub-Prefect
The mayor
Third parties: -
Description: This short agreement is between local armed groups at Batangafo. The armed groups use it to make commitments, and other members of the community are included as signatories.

Agreement document: CF_190109_Accord_entre_les_Groupes_Armes_de_Batangafo_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_190109_Accord_entre_les_Groupes_Armes_de_Batangafo.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Formal structured process
Rationale: This agreement was concluded 'under the supervision of the United Nations' Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA)' (p.1). Ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka had already signed an agreement in Batangafo prior to this agreement (see 'Accord entre les Groupes Armes de Batangafo', 24/02/2018).
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?: No
Link to national process: articulated rationale: Neither the agreement text nor limited background research suggests a link to the national-level peace process.
Name of Locale: Batangafo
Nature of Locale: City
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 7.304657, 18.280792
Participant type: Local state actor
Local armed group
International or transnational actor
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
Mediator, facilitator or similar: Mediator or similar referred to
Mediator (references): 'Supervisor': United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA)
Type of mediator/facilitator/similar: International or transnational actor

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture): No specific mention.
Grievance List: Page 1, Untitled Preamble, Considering that the population of Batangafo has suffered so much;
...
Considering that the crisis that is shaking our city does not benefit anyone;
Considering that this crisis constitutes a socio-economic block for our city:
Cattle rustling/banditry: No specific mention.
Social cover: No specific mention.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ARMED GROUPS OF BATANGAFO

• Considering that the population of Batangafo has suffered so much;

• Considering that the free movement of goods and persons is a universal right:

• Considering that the crisis that is shaking our city does not benefit anyone;

• Considering that this crisis constitutes a socio-economic block for our city:

• Considering that this agreement will serve as a transposable model for certain conflict zones in Central African territory:

• Considering that the Christian and Muslim community are condemned to live together:

• Considering that peace has no price;

We, armed groups of Batangafo (Ex-SELEKA and ANTI-BALAKA) under the supervision of the United Nations’ Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), commit ourselves to respect the following recommendations:

• Free movement of goods and persons:

• A real collaboration between the armed groups;

• Permanent return of IDPs to their respective localities;

• Establishment of a joint monitoring committee to preserve peace in said locality;

Signatory parties:

FOR THE EX-SELEKA OF BATANGAFO

FOR THE ANTI BALAKA OF BATANGAFO FOR THE RELIGIOUS GROUPS

FOR THE CIVIL SOCIETY

FOR YOUTH

FOR THE PEACE AND SOCIAL COHESION COMMITTEE FOR THE SUB-PREFECT

FOR THE MAYOR