Country/entity

Central African Republic

Region

Africa (excl MENA)

Agreement name

Commitment between the 6 Armed Groups of Haute Kotto

Date

9 Apr 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.

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Central African Republic Conflicts (1996 - )

Stage

Framework/substantive - partial

Conflict nature

Inter-group

Peace process

CAR: Local Processes

Parties

Page 1:
For the Parties
Ousta Alia The FPRC
Mine Joseph The RPRC
Amadou Garba The UPC
Amat Faya The MPC
Achafi Daoud Assabour The MLCJ
Plenga Thierry alias Bokassa MOKOM Wing Anti Balaka

Third parties

Page 1:
Witnesses
Binguinedji Thierry Evariste Prefect of Haute Kotto
YOunous MoussaAyat Sub-prefect of Bria
BalekouZou Maurice mayor of the town of Bria

Page 3:
The representative of the HD Center
Representative of MINUSCA

The agreement also lists (Page 3) the Prefect of Haute Kotto, and the Prefectural Committee for the Implementation of the Khartoum Accord as taking part in monitoring alongside the signed third parties.

Description

In this agreement, six armed groups present in the area of Haute Kotto commit to using peaceful means to resolve differences, and particularly with regard to any incitement of violence based on ethnicity and religion, with local government, MINUSCA, and the HD Centre acting as monitors.

Agreement document

CF_190409_Commitment between the 6 Armed Groups of Haute Kotto_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Agreement document (original language)

CF_190409_Commitment between the 6 Armed Groups of Haute Kotto.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type

Informal but persistent process

Rationale

The local groups in Haute Kotto are regularly signing agreements, many supported by HD Centre and MINUSCA. These agreements do form a persistent process, though there does not appear to be the permanence of participants and a clear timeline that is usually associated with a formal structured process.

Is there a documented link to a national peace process?

Yes

Link to national process: articulated rationale

The link to the national negotiations is twofold: the parties reference the national-level Political Agreement, and they commit to its provisions; additionally, the armed groups signing this agreement are active at the national level.

Name of Locale

Haute Kotto

Nature of Locale

Region

GPS Lat/Long (DD)

7.576526, 23.014021

Participant type

Local state actor
Local armed group
International or transnational actor
Regional state actor

Mediator, facilitator or similar

Mediator or similar referred to

Mediator (references)

MINUSCA, HD Centre

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, leaders of the armed groups FPRC, RPRC, MLCJ, UPC, MPC, and Anti Balaka wing MOKOME, hereinafter referred to as the "parties"
Considering that the CAR has been in a military-political crisis since 2012 which has plunged the country into inter-communal violence, the collapse of State Authority, the dislocation of social cohesion, and massive displacement of thousands of people to within and outside the country
Considering that the conflict has largely affected localities in the interior of the country (including the prefecture of Haute Kotto), with several victims of murder, rape.
[...]
Expressing our deep regret at the continued violations of previous agreements, as well as the deplorable loss of life and damage to property caused by recent conflicts;

Cattle rustling/banditry

No specific mention.

Social cover

No specific mention.

COMMITMENT BETWEEN THE 6 ARMED GROUPS OF HAUTE KOTTO

Preamble

We, leaders of the armed groups FPRC, RPRC, MLCJ, UPC, MPC, and Anti Balaka wing MOKOME, hereinafter referred to as the "parties"

Considering that the CAR has been in a military-political crisis since 2012 which has plunged the country into inter-communal violence, the collapse of State Authority, the dislocation of social cohesion, and massive displacement of thousands of people to within and outside the country

Considering that the conflict has largely affected localities in the interior of the country (including the prefecture of Haute Kotto), with several victims of murder, rape

Considering the previous initiatives taken by the international community to establish a negotiated settlement of hostilities in the CAR, Signed on April 23, 2014, in Brazzaville;

Considering the national dynamic instilled by the Bangui National Forum from 04 to 11 May 2015;

Considering the initiatives of September 21 and December 19, 2017, Bria;

Considering the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic between the government and armed groups, signed on February 6, 2019;

Expressing our deep regret at the continued violations of previous agreements, as well as the deplorable loss of life and damage to property caused by recent conflicts;

Aware that tolerance, inclusion, consultation, and dialogue constitute the basis of peace and national unity as expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution of the Central African Republic of March 30, 2016

For the Parties

Ousta Alia The FPRC

Mine Joseph The RPRC

Amadou Garba The UPC

Amat Faya The MPC

Achafi Daoud Assabour The MLCJ

Plenga Thierry alias Bokassa MOKOM Wing Anti Balaka

Witnesses

Binguinedji Thierry Evariste Prefect of Haute Kotto

Younous MoussaAyat Sub-prefect of Bria

BalekouZou Maurice mayor of the town of Bria

Aware that without our commitments to the cardinal principles of good governance, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, Haute Kotto cannot achieve social-economic progress or global growth;

Convinced of the fact that the responsibility for determining the destiny of our region falls on us, according to the realities of our country and based on the values of justice, rule of law, democracy, good governance, respect for people’s fundamental freedom and rights, unity and solidarity, mutual understanding and cooperation among different ethnic communities, and religious groups;

Reaffirming our will to live together and to manage our differences by way of Dialogue and Mediation to fully embrace the dynamics of peace and reconciliation, as specified in the Political Agreement of Peace and Reconciliation in CAR of February 6, 2019;

By signing this act, we make a solemn commitment before the Authorities of Haute Kotto, the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, MINUSCA, and the populations of Bria, to renounce any action on our part that could undermine the security and well-being of the population.

We agree as follows:

Article 1

To put aside our differences and promote the factors which are common to us and which unite us, to meet the challenges we face as members of the Community.

Article 2

To stop all actions on our part that could undermine the security and well-being of the populations of Haute Kotto

Article 3

To cease hostile acts based on ethnicity, religion, or any other motivation against the populations of Haute Kotto

Article 4

From now on, to favor the use of peaceful and legal means for the settlement of all our disputes

Article 5

To oppose and resist any idea of instrumentalization and manipulation of members of our respective communities for sectarian purposes of a political, religious, regional, and/or ethnic nature;

Article 6

The 6 armed groups undertake to support the return of all internally displaced persons and refugees;

Article 7

The 6 armed groups undertake to respect the secular character of the CAR and promote the harmonious coexistence of religions, mutual respect, conviviality, good neighborliness, and promoting the new Central African citizenship between Muslim and Christian communities.

Article 8

The parties' commitment to peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion implies, among other things:

a. Free movement of people and goods, including that of humanitarian personnel throughout Haute Kotto

b. Refraining from damage to property and goods (houses, vehicles, motorcycles, etc.)

Article 9

The parties undertake to respect and implement the provisions of the Agreement to successfully ensure security and peace and in Haute Kotto;

Article 10

In the event of a violation of the terms of this agreement, systematic recourse will be made to the Technical Security Committee established as part of the Political Agreement of Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR;

Article 11

In the days following the signing of this agreement, the 6 armed groups individually and collectively will take joint measures to sensitize their members, so that they cease hostile acts against each other based on ethnicity, religion, and any other motives, including intimidation, extortion, or theft, the use of hostile propaganda and incitement which may endanger life or cause damage to property;

The Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, MINUSCA, the Prefect of Haute Kotto, and the Prefectural Committee for the Implementation of the Khartoum Accord will ensure the implementation of this Agreement and its periodic monitoring;

Article 13

This agreement comes into force upon its signature.

Done in Bria, on [DATE MISSING]

The representative of the HD Center Representative of MINUSCA