Country/entity

Central African Republic

Region

Africa (excl MENA)

Agreement name

Dimbi UPC AB Joint Memorandum

Date

17 Dec 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.

Close

Central African Republic Conflicts (1996 - )

Stage

Pre-negotiation/process

Conflict nature

Inter-group

Peace process

CAR: Local Processes

Parties

Signatory parties:

The head of UPC

The head of the head of the auto-defense groups

Chairman of the Committee of Elders

Youth President

President of Dimbi Auto-Defense groups

President of the ACS

President of OFCA

The Imam of La Masquée

The Mayor of MBOUI

The EWOU Breeding Mayor

The Mayor of Kémbé

Third parties

-

Description

In this agreement, the representatives of the armed groups, together with representatives of elders, other local civic and religious groups, and representatives of local government, agree that a committee of elders is to be set up to bring the issues that concern the community to the attention of the population and the armed groups. Additionally, they also set a list of solutions supported by the signatories.

Agreement document

CF_181217_Dimbi UPC AB joint memorandum_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Agreement document (original language)

CF_181217_Dimbi UPC AB joint memorandum.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type

Informal but persistent process

Rationale

The armed groups in the Central African Republic have participated in many local agreements, and while there is no formal process in place, there is an ongoing and recognised practice of local negotiations.

Is there a documented link to a national peace process?

No

Link to national process: articulated rationale

The agreement sets up a committee of elders for a particular area, and while the UPC is a signatory and is involved in the broader conflict, the other signatories are predominantly local (religious, civic, and local government representatives).

Name of Locale

Kémbé

Nature of Locale

Region

GPS Lat/Long (DD)

4.614309, 21.996582

Participant type

Local state actor
Local armed group
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations

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

Page 1:
Considering the military-political crisis that has raged since May 2017 in the prefecture of Basse-Kotto in general and the sub-prefecture of Kémbé in particular. An outbreak of violence and exaction has disrupted the peaceful life of the population:

Torture, burning of houses, looting, illegal circulation of weapons, taking people hostage, rape, enrollment of child soldiers, attacking the movement of people and goods, etc.

Cattle rustling/banditry

No specific mention.

Social cover

No specific mention.

Prefecture of Basse-Kotto

Sub-prefecture of Kémbé

DIMBI Committee of Elders for Peace, Social Cohesion and National Reconciliation

Central African Republic

Unity - Dignity - Work

MEMORANDUM

Considering the military-political crisis that has raged since May 2017 in the prefecture of Basse-Kotto in general and the sub-prefecture of Kémbé in particular.

An outbreak of violence and exaction has disrupted the peaceful life of the population:

Torture, burning of houses, looting, illegal circulation of weapons, taking people hostage, rape, enrollment of child soldiers, attacking the movement of people and goods, etc.

Given the above, the committee of elders for peace and social cohesion shall be set up by the community and religious leaders to sensitize armed groups and the population to the issues.

REQUIRED SOLUTIONS

Free movement of people and goods;

The release hostages;

The removal of barriers and diversions on the axes;

The protection of the integrity and honor of the two armed groups;

The reopening of communication channels;

Respect for the interests of the agro-pastoral sectors;

The acceleration of the disarmament process by the government and the international community.

Done at Dimbi on 12/17/2018

Signatory parties:

The head of UPC

The head of the head of the auto-defense groups

Chairman of the Committee of Elders

Youth President

President of Dimbi Auto-Defense groups

President of the ACS

President of OFCA

The Imam of La Masquée

The Mayor of MBOUI

The EWOU Breeding Mayor

The Mayor of Kémbé