Gambo

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Gambo
Date: 18 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: The President of the Special Delegation
Third parties: -
Description: This agreement is a communal response to the Pombolo apology. The agreement seems to be part of a wider process to reconcile Gambo and Pombolo.

Agreement document: CF_181018_Gambo_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_181018_Gambo.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Isolated example
Rationale: This is the second part in an exchange of letters between two mayors (for the first, please refer to the agreement 'Pombolo' of 17/10/2018). Although it was supported by MINUSCA, limited background 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): Page 1, The whole social stratum - local authorities, OFCA, youth, the president of the autodefense group, religious leaders etc. are pleased to receive for the first time your letter of apology - one does not forgive a second time according to the word of God.
Grievance List: No specific mention.
Cattle rustling/banditry: No specific mention.
Social cover: No specific mention.

Gambo, October 18, 2018

Mr Mayor of Gambo

To the mayor of Pombolo.

In response to your letter asking for reconciliation, social cohesion, peace, brotherly love, and solidarity.

The whole social stratum - local authorities, OFCA, youth, the president of the autodefense group, religious leaders etc.

are pleased to receive for the first time your letter of apology - one does not forgive a second time according to the word of God.

We have decided that MUNISCA should organize a round table in Bangassou and transport both of us, the leaders of Pombolo and Gambo, as well as representatives of Selekas and the autodefense groups, OFCA groups, Gambo and Pombolo youth, and Gambo and Pombolo religious groups - We have asked that this gesture of pardon take place before the officials of Bangassou.

Hoping that you welcome our response, we wish you well.

The President of the Special Delegation