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: 24 Feb 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: Pour EX-Seleka de Batangafo
Le Com zone: Mr. SADDAM Hissen
Le Com zone Adjoint: Mr. BRAHIM Mahamat
Le Coordinateur FPRC: Mr. MALOUD

Pour Anti Balaka de Batangafo
Le Com zone: Mr. NINGA Rene
Le Com Zone: GATIKOUI Bruno
Le Conseiller des Anti Balaka: Mr. Benjamin Ngouyombo
Le maire de Batangafo: Mr. GONDA Jean-Michel

Représentant de la FNEC de Batangafo: Mr. TAKADJI Adoun

Le sous-préfet de Batangafo: Nestor GUIAMA
Third parties: Supervised by the United Nations’ Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
Description: Short local agreements between armed groups in the town of Batangafo that provides for: Return of displaced populations; Inter-group Cooperation; Free movement of people and goods; Establishment of a joint monitoring committee; Unification of food-distribution placed; Implementation of a CVR program.

Agreement document: CF_180224_Accord_Entre_Les_Groupes_Armes_de_Batangafo_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_180224_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). Another agreement between the ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka, and wider societal actors, was signed in Batangafo on 09/01/2019 (see 'Accord Entre Les Groupes Armes de Batangafo').
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
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;

• Unification of food distribution places by NGOs (central market) with a view to facilitating social cohesion;

• Fast implementation of the CVR program to reduce violence in the community.

In faith whereof, the present agreement is established to strive for justice

Signed:

For the EX-Seleka of Batangafo

Zone Commander:

Mr. SADDAM Hissen [signature]

Deputy Zone Commander:

Mr. BRAHIM Mahamat [signature]

The FPRC Coordinator:

Mr. MALOUD [signature]

For the Anti Balaka of Batangafo

Zone Commander:

Mr. NINGA Rene [signature]

Zone Commander:

GATIKOUI Bruno [signature]

The Advisor of the Anti Balaka:

Mr. Benjamin Ngouyombo [signature]

The Mayor of Batangafo:

Mr. GONDA Jean-Michel [signature]

Representative of the FNEC in Batangafo:

Mr. TAKADJI Adoun [signature]

The sub-prefect of Batangafo:

Nestor GUIAMA [signature]