Conflict prevention agreement between Farmers from Vakaga in the Central African Republic and herders from South Darfur

Country/entity
Central African Republic
Sudan
Region
Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name
Conflict prevention agreement between Farmers from Vakaga in the Central African Republic and herders from South Darfur
Date
11 Jun 2019
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Intrastate/local conflict
Stage
Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature
Inter-group
Peace process
CAR - Sudan: local cross-border agreements
Parties
Page 5:
For the Central African party:
Bakhit Karama
[second person may have been present and signed, but no name noted in original]

For the Sudanese party:
Almahadi Tidjani Younis Din
Hamit Babikir
Third parties
Page 1, Preamble :
[...]
Gathered in Birao as part of the dialogue initiated by the Henry Dunant Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) to support the stabilization efforts undertaken by the Central African Government, with the support of the international community, throughout the national territory including Vakaga

Page 6:
Witnesses (RCA):
1. Leonard Mbele, Prefect of Vakaga
2. Hamat Moustapha, Sultan Mayor of Birao

Witnesses (Sudan):
1. Mahmour Abudahaba, Consul General of Sudan in Birao
2. Abdoulkarim Younis Din, Mayor of Amdafock in Sudan
Description
The farmers and herders from the Vakaga (CAR) and South Darfur (Sudan), with mediation by HD - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, agree to form a joint committee which is to assist in peaceful and cooperative resolution of conflicts arising from the use of land for farming and herding/breeding cattle.

Local agreement properties

Process type
Isolated example
Rationale
While there have been negotiations in the Central African Republic concerning the internal conflicts, this agreement deals specifically with the cross-border issues present in Vakaga, related to movements of herders from Sudan.
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
Yes
Link to national process: articulated rationale
While the agreement itself is an exceptional example of cross-border negotiations on local conflict issues, the document is framed as "part of the dialogue initiated by the Henry Dunant Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) to support the stabilization efforts undertaken by the Central African Government, with the support of the international community, throughout the national territory including Vakaga" (page 1 of the agreement, Preamble).
Name of Locale
Vakaga
Nature of Locale
Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD)
10.296251, 22.781412
Participant type
Local state actor
Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
Regional state actor
Mediator, facilitator or similar
Mediator or similar referred to
Mediator (references)
The HD - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue is an international non-governmental organization which mediated and convened the negotiations. The HD website also notes EU funding for their work in CAR.
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:
Preamble
We, the Farmers of the Vakaga region in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Breeders of the South Darfur region of Sudan, hereinafter called "the parties"; Considering that our main activities in the two cross-border regions are agriculture and livestock; Considering that the increase in pastoral pressure, following the droughts of the 1970s and 1980s, pushed Sudanese breeders to come to the northeast of the Central African Republic where the availability of resources remains very important; Considering that tensions have always existed between our communities concerning the management of natural resources; Considering that these tensions lead to the regular occurrence of deadly conflicts between our communities;

Page 1-2:
Chapter I: Causes and consequences of tensions
Article 2:
The parties agree that the inter-communal tensions observed in the region result from the following elements:
a) Non-compliance with transhumance routes by both parties;
b) Field damage caused by animals of breeders;
c) Theft of oxen;
d) Failure to respect farming areas;
e) Systematic cutting down of shea trees;
f) The extended stays of transhumance parties;
g) Collective attacks on villages and camps;

Page 2:
Article 3:
The parties agree that these tensions also have the following consequences:
a) The death of human beings;
b) The burning of villages;
c) The displacement of populations;
d) Restrictions on access to cultivable land;
e) Social instability;
f) The rapid degradation of biodiversity;
g) Increase in the poverty of the population
Cattle rustling/banditry
Page 1:
Chapter I: Causes and consequences of tensions
Article 2:
The parties agree that the inter-communal tensions observed in the region result from the following elements:
a) Non-compliance with transhumance routes by both parties;
b) Field damage caused by animals of breeders;
c) Theft of oxen;
d) Failure to respect farming areas;
e) Systematic cutting down of shea trees;
f) The extended stays of transhumance parties;
g) Collective attacks on villages and camps;

Page 2-3:
Chapter II: Commitments of the Parties
Article 4
The parties jointly commit to:
[...]
Encouraging communities to commit themselves to peace and social cohesion;
• Opposing the theft of livestock regardless of the owner's community and facilitate the search for stolen property and animals so that they can be returned to their owners;
Social cover

No specific mention.

Conflict Prevention Agreement between the Vakaga Farmers in the Central African Republic and the Breeders of South Darfur in Sudan

Preamble

We, the Farmers of the Vakaga region in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Breeders of the South Darfur region of Sudan, hereinafter called "the parties";

Considering that our main activities in the two cross-border regions are agriculture and livestock;

Considering that the increase in pastoral pressure, following the droughts of the 1970s and 1980s, pushed Sudanese breeders to come to the northeast of the Central African Republic where the availability of resources remains very important;

Considering that tensions have always existed between our communities concerning the management of natural resources;

Considering that these tensions lead to the regular occurrence of deadly conflicts between our communities;

Aware that these conflicts can fuel the security crisis between our two borders;

Knowing that violence does not resolve conflicts and that we should stop reprisals following the theft of animals or destruction of fields;

Gathered in Birao as part of the dialogue initiated by the Henry Dunant Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) to support the stabilization efforts undertaken by the Central African Government, with the support of the international community, throughout the national territory including Vakaga ;

Agree to the following:

Article 1:

The Parties hereby agree to implement the provisions of this agreement in full and in good faith, recognizing their primary responsibility in this regard.

Chapter I:

Causes and consequences of tensions

Article 2:

The parties agree that the inter-communal tensions observed in the region result from the following elements:

a) Non-compliance with transhumance routes by both parties;

b) Field damage caused by animals of breeders;

c) Theft of oxen;

d) Failure to respect farming areas;

e) Systematic cutting down of shea trees;

f) The extended stays of transhumance parties;

g) Collective attacks on villages and camps;

Article 3:

The parties agree that these tensions also have the following consequences:

a) The death of human beings;

b) The burning of villages;

c) The displacement of populations;

d) Restrictions on access to cultivable land;

e) Social instability;

f) The rapid degradation of biodiversity;

g) Increase in the poverty of the population.

Chapter II:

Commitments of the Parties

Article 4

The parties jointly commit to:

• Condemning any act of violence committed by one of the members of their community;

• Investing fully alongside all the authorities in the negotiated management of conflicts related to access to natural resources;

• Referring to the competent authorities of the Central African Republic and Sudan in the event of threats or attacks;

• Seeking peaceful solutions to our differences through an amicable settlement without resorting to armed groups or armed militias close to our community;

• Raising awareness amongst communities;

• Encouraging communities to commit themselves to peace and social cohesion;

• Opposing the theft of livestock regardless of the owner's community and facilitate the search for stolen property and animals so that they can be returned to their owners;

• Regularly monitoring the implementation of this agreement and report on it regularly to the communities.

Article 5:

In addition, the breeder community commits to:

• Respecting the routes established for the passage of animals;

• Not allowing animals to graze in the fields;

• Paying the costs of any damage caused by animals to the fields according to the local economy;

• Renouncing armed threats or the use of weapons in the event of an altercation;

• Introducing any new arrivals to the village chiefs.

Article 6:

In addition, the farming community commits to:

• Not putting fields on the transhumance routes;

• Not imposing exorbitant charges in the event of damage to fields.

Chapter III:

Recommendations addressed to the States

Article 7:

The parties call on the Central African and Sudanese states to support their pacification efforts for the benefit of peaceful inter-communal coexistence.

More specifically, the parties request:

• The Prefects of Vakaga in CAR and the Governor of South Darfur in Sudan, to continue their actions in favor of peaceful coexistence and endogenous security initiatives along the long border;

• The Central African State to accelerate the implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Repatriation (DDRR) process of armed groups;

• To the Sudanese State to restore peace and security in the country and to disarm the armed militias;

• To both states to strengthen the legitimacy of local traditional and religious authorities so that they are able, as in the past, to work to prevent and manage tensions and conflicts in an impartial manner.

Chapter V:

Implementation monitoring

Article 8:

The Parties undertake to meet at least once during the first year following the signing of this Agreement in order to take stock of the implementation of the Agreement and, if necessary, renew and adjust the commitments.

Article 9:

The Joint Committee will have the following mission:

• Share with the authorities of Vakaga (CAR) and South Darfur (Sudan) this Agreement so that they support its implementation, its appropriation by the communities and therefore strengthen its scope;

• Make a regular point at each beginning and end of the transhumance season with the parties to ensure the implementation of the commitments made under this agreement and to strengthen its scope;

• Prevent and manage disputes between the parties that may lead to non-compliance with this agreement.

Chapter VI:

Dispute management

Article 10:

The parties will do everything in their power to settle amicably and by negotiation any dispute arising between them, in the spirit of cooperation and friendship which underlies this peace agreement.

Article 11:

In the event of a breach of the application of this Agreement or in the event of a dispute relating to its interpretation, the Parties will refer the matter to the Monitoring Committee so that a consensual solution is identified and applied.

In the event of breaches, the parties commit to consulting the authorities of the two border regions.

Chapter VII:

Terms and conditions

Article 12:

In the event of a serious breach of the application of this Agreement, and of a failure of all attempts at negotiation to remedy it, the Parties may terminate this Agreement.

Such termination will take effect on a specified termination date.

In this case, the parties will take all necessary measures to minimize the impact of such a decision on the pacification efforts already undertaken under the same agreement.

Article 13:

This Agreement shall enter into force from the date of its signature by the Parties.

Done in Birao, on June 11, 2019

For the Central African party:

For the Sudanese party:

Witnesses (RCA):

1. Prefect of Vakaga

2. Sultan Mayor of Birao

Witnesses (Sudan):

1. Consul General of Sudan in Birao

2. Mayor of Amdafock in Sudan