Joint Press Release

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Joint Press Release
Date: 21 Sep 2019
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: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: CAR: Local Processes
Parties: Signatory parties:
FPRC
AUTO-DEFENSE GROUPS
SULTAN OF BAMINGUI
SULTAN OF VAKAGA
THE MISSION COORDINATOR
Third parties: -
Description: Short ceasefire agreement between armed groups and auto-defence groups operating in Haute Koto. As well as agreeing to permanently cease all hostility, there are provisions relating to civilian protection, social cohesion, free movement of people and goods, resumption of academic activities, return of displaced persons, dialogue and reconciliation, free movement of humanitarian personnel, and promoting MINUSCA.

Agreement document: CF_190921_Joint_Press_Release_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_190921_Joint_Press_Release.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Informal but persistent process
Rationale: The agreement states that the parties have committed to work through the Parliamentary Mediation Mission, which appears to be an informal effort of the deputy of Bamingui (north), Jean-Michel Mandaba, and the Sultans of Bamingui and Vakaga, (Ibrahm Kamoun Senoussi and Mahmat Moustapha Am-Ngabo), following their similar initiative with armed groups in Bria in September 2017.
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?: No
Link to national process: articulated rationale: Although the agreement references 'promoting the action of MINUSCA', there are no explicit links to the national peace process or other agreements.
Name of Locale: Haute-Kotto
Nature of Locale: Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 7.412697, 22.906706
Participant type: Local armed group
Regional state actor
Mediator, facilitator or similar: No mention of mediator or similar

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture): No specific mention.
Grievance List: No specific mention.
Cattle rustling/banditry: No specific mention.
Social cover: No specific mention.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

We, representatives of the various armed groups and auto-defense groups operating in Haute-Kotto, solemnly commit, through the work of the Parliamentary Mediation Mission, to:

Permanently cease all hostility

Put an end to all abuses against civilian populations

Work for the return of lasting peace, social cohesion, and cohabitation

Facilitate the free movement of people and goods in the Prefecture of Haute-Kotto in general and in BRIA in particular

Promote the resumption of academic activities in Haute-Kotto

Facilitate the return of displaced persons to their respective neighborhoods

Adhere to the process of dialogue and reconciliation

Promote the free movement of humanitarian personnel

Promote the action of MINUSCA

Done at BRIA, September 21, 2019

Signatory parties:

FPRC - OUSTA, ALI / SCEMA

AUTO-DEFENSE GROUPS - PLENGA, THIERRY-FRANCOIS

SULTAN OF BAMINGUI - SENOUSSI, IBRAHIM KAMOUN

SULTAN OF VAKAGA - AHAMAT, MOUSTAPHA

THE MISSION COORDINATOR - Honourable JEAN-MICHEL, MANDABA