La Declaration de Coordination des Groupes Armes RCP

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: La Declaration de Coordination des Groupes Armes RCP
Date: 20 Oct 2018
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
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: Antibalaka
RJ Sayo
RJ Belangar
FDPC
Third parties: -
Description: A short agreement between armed groups committing to non-aggression and continuing a dialogue process.

Agreement document: CF_181020_La_Declaration_de_Coordination_des_Groupes_Armes_RCP_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_181020_La_Declaration_de_Coordination_des_Groupes_Armes_RCP.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Formal structured process
Rationale: This agreement was concluded with mediation support from MINUSCA and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. The Anti-Balaka and 3R, two of the five armed groups party to this agreement, have previously signed a peace agreement in Bouar (Acte d'Engagement Entre Les Groupes Anti-Balakas de la Nana Membere et 3R, 14/12/2017).
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?: No
Link to national process: articulated rationale: While the agreement references dialogue processes in the African Union (p.1), neither the agreement text nor limited background research suggests a link to the national-level peace process.
Name of Locale: the West Zone
Nature of Locale: Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 6.192070, 15.227413
Participant type: Local armed group
Mediator, facilitator or similar: Mediator or similar referred to
Mediator (references): Coordinator: GAL Sidiki Abbas, 3R Group (Retour, Reclamation, Rehabilitation)
Type of mediator/facilitator/similar: Local armed group

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture): No specific mention.
Grievance List: Page 1, In view of the conflict between the armed groups;
In view of the barbarities which prevent the free movement of persons and goods;
In view of the provocation by FACAS of armed groups engaged in peace proceedings (the RJ case);
In view of the theft of cattle, killings of peasants, pillaging and systematic burning of villages by unidentified armed groups;
Given the removal of peasants and aid workers (the MENTOR case in Paoua);
Cattle rustling/banditry: Page 1, In view of the theft of cattle, killings of peasants, pillaging and systematic burning of villages by unidentified armed groups;
Social cover: No specific mention.

COORDINATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ARMED GROUPS (RCP)

In view of the conflict between the armed groups;

In view of the barbarities which prevent the free movement of persons and goods;

In view of the provocation by FACAS of armed groups engaged in peace proceedings (the RJ case);

In view of the theft of cattle, killings of peasants, pillaging and systematic burning of villages by unidentified armed groups;

Given the removal of peasants and aid workers (the MENTOR case in Paoua);

We, the five Armed Groups in the West Zone:

3R, FDPC, ATB, RJS and RJB reunited from 18 to 20 October 2018 at the Central African Peace Summit (RCP) under the co-ordination of GAL Sidiki Abbas, have decide that which follows:

1 To promote the free movement of persons and goods

2 To consolidate peace and promote social cohesion - a uniting factor for all men and women in the country

3 To reach a non-aggression agreement between the armed groups

4 To strengthen the dialogue processes in the African Union

5 Prepare to raise awareness for the imminent DDRR process of our armed groups

6 To thank the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, ECAC, CEMAC, and the entire international community for their firm will to aid the Central African Republic on its quest for peace.

THE SIGNATORY PARTIES:

ANTIBALAKA

RJ SAYO

RJ BELANGAR

FDPC