Pombolo

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Pombolo
Date: 17 Oct 2018
Agreement status: Unilateral document
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local 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: Inter-group
Peace process: CAR: Local Processes
Parties: Mr Mayor of the Pombolo Commune
Third parties: -
Description: This agreement is an apology to the people of Gambo city. The agreement seems to be part of a wider process to reconcile Gambo and Pombolo.

Agreement document: CF_181017_Pombolo_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_181017_Pombolo.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Isolated example
Rationale: This is the first part in an exchange of letters between two mayors (for the second, please refer to the agreement 'Gambo' of 18/10/2018). Although it was supported by MINUSCA, limited background research does not suggest a formally established process or procedure was in place to support this process.
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: Pombolo and Gambo (Southwest Mbomou)
Nature of Locale: Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 4.702865, 22.140184
Participant type: Local state actor
Mediator, facilitator or similar: Mediator or similar referred to
Mediator (references): Facilitator: MINUSCA Political Affairs (see reference International Peace Institute, 2019)
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, I have a lot of remorse for what happened between us (Pombolo and GAMBO) in the past. I did not want to clash with you and regretted it immensely
Cattle rustling/banditry: No specific mention.
Social cover: No specific mention.

Mr Mayor of the POMBOLO Commune TOMBOLO on 17/10/18

Subject:

letter of reconciliation to my brothers and sisters:

population of the city of GAMBO Reason:

Social cohesion, peace, reconciliation, love, fraternity, solidarity.

- To the president of the special delegation of the city of GAMBO

- BALAKAS Leaders

Mr Mayor, speaking for myself and for my people in Pombolo, I have the honor of soliciting an intervention from your benevolence.

Our wish is to bring back social cohesion to bring peace, the reconciliation of our people, and long-lasting love.

I have a lot of remorse for what happened between us (Pombolo and GAMBO) in the past.

I did not want to clash with you and regretted it immensely

I beg you to consider the courage that it took to write to you and ask for forgiveness.

I thank you for your understanding and assure you that it will not happen again.

Mr Mayor of the POMBOLO Commune