Country/entity

Central African Republic

Region

Africa (excl MENA)

Agreement name

Declaration of the Inclusive Intra and Inter-Communal Reconciliation Forum in Haute Kotto

Date

24 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.

Close

Central African Republic Conflicts (1996 - )

Stage

Framework/substantive - partial

Conflict nature

Inter-group

Peace process

CAR: Local Processes

Parties

FOR THE VARIOUS ETHNICAL GROUPS:
1. BANDA: SAMBA Rene
2. SARA: DJOUMA Felix
3. ROUNGA: DJIBRINE Youssouf
4. GOULA: El Hadj ABAKAR B.O
5. KARA: FOTOR Doungous
6. YOULOU: ALBAKOUS Philippe
7. NZAKARA: SALANGA Evariste
8. BORNOU: BOUKAR Moustapha
9. HAOUSSA: RABILOU Mahamat
10. ARABIC: ATAHIR Ousmane
11. PEUHL: AMAT Ali Bobiri
12. CMOP: Mle. CHAFARDINE Victorien
13. CTS: Adjt Chef MAHAMAT Sallet Soumaine

FOR THE FORUM OFFICE:
President: Mr. BINGUINENDJI Thierry Evariste, Prefecture of Haute Kotto
Vice-President: Mr. YOUNOUS Moussa AYATE, Sub-Prefecture of Bria

Rapporteurs:
Mr. MALICK ADoum, Head of PCA de Sam Ouandja
Mr. LEMERCIER Andre, Principal Lycee Djalle Bria 

For the Religious Platform
1. For the Catholic Church - Abbe Bruno Stephanie KOMGBO
2. For Protestants: Pastor Auguste NGBANDE
3. For Islam: Ousmane Ali

For MINUSCA
Mr. Imtiaz Hussein

Representatives of the following armed groups were present at this Forum:
1. FPRC/MemberCTS [signature]
2. UPC/Member CTS [signature]
3. MPC/Member CTS [signature]
4. RPRC/Member CTS [signature]
5. MLJC/Member CTS [signature]
6. ANTI-BALAKA/Member CTS [signature]

Third parties

-

Description

The agreement is a civic inter-communal agreement which builds on an earlier armed actor commitment to a ceasefire.

Agreement document

CF_190424_Declaration of the Inclusive Intra and Inter-Communal Reconciliation Forum in Haute Kotto_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Agreement document (original language)

CF_190424_Declaration of the Inclusive Intra and Inter-Communal Reconciliation Forum in Haute Kotto.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type

Formal structured process

Rationale

The agreement references previous peace agreements and road maps signed by the armed groups present in Haute Kotto, including confidence building measures signed on April 9 2019. The agreement is also the result of the Inclusive Intra and Inter-communal Reconciliation Forum.

Is there a documented link to a national peace process?

Yes

Link to national process: articulated rationale

The agreement includes an action or recommendation point to 'enforce strict compliance with the commitments made by the Armed Groups when signing various local Agreements and Confidence-Building Measures, including the Khartoum Accord', which is the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (also known as the Khartoum Accord), which was signed between the national government of CAR and multiple groups, and guaranteed and facilitated by the African Union, international actors, and neighbouring states.

Name of Locale

Haute Kotto

Nature of Locale

Region

GPS Lat/Long (DD)

7.412697, 22.906706

Participant type

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

Mediator, facilitator or similar

No mention of mediator or similar

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)

Page 1, Point 3: To respect and revive customary alliances through taking the oath

Page 1, Point 4: Establish an oath monitoring committee

Grievance List

No specific mention.

Cattle rustling/banditry

No specific mention.

Social cover

No specific mention.

Central African Republic

Unity - Dignity - Work

DECLARATION OF THE INCLUSIVE INTRA AND INTER-COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION FORUM

IN HAUTE KOTTO

We, participants in the Inclusive Intra and Inter-communal Reconciliation Forum in Haute Kotto, gathered today, Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in the deliberation room of the Town Hall of Bria;

Considering that the various Peace Agreements and Roadmaps, signed by the Armed Groups present in Haute Kotto, have not had a positive impact on peace and cohabitation between the daughters and sons of the region;

Considering that the confidence-building measures signed on April 9, 2019, between the 6 armed groups present in Bria, constitute a major step towards the quest for peace and reconciliation between the daughters and sons of Haute Kotto;

AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

Point 1:

To strengthen social cohesion, the daughters and sons of Haute Kotto must disarm their hearts and forgive themselves to achieve true reconciliation.

Point 2:

To fight lies and rumors that are at the origin of hatred and violence.

Point 3:

To respect and revive customary alliances through taking the oath

Point 4:

Establish an oath monitoring committee

Point 5:

Set up an inter-communal dialogue platform

Point 6:

Set up a local conflict management committee at the prefectural and sub-prefectural level

Point 7:

Promote the free movement of people and goods throughout Haute Kotto

Actions or Recommendations:

1. To MINUSCA and other partners, to strengthen their support for social cohesion activities to perpetuate the achievements of the Forum

2. Broadcast messages of peace and reconciliation on local and national radio stations as well as in churches and mosques

3. Organize a vast awareness-raising campaign on cohabitation in community and school settings

4. Carry out high manpower inter-communal and inter-faith work

5. Enforce strict compliance with the commitments made by the Armed Groups when signing the various local Agreements and Confidence-Building Measures, including the Khartoum Accord

6. Provide support for Income Generating Activities without ethnic or religious discrimination.

7. Immortalize Peace in Haute Kotto by constructing a monument of national reconciliation.

8. Organise a Peace Caravan in Bria

FOR THE VARIOUS ETHNICAL GROUPS:

1. BANDA:

SAMBA Rene

2. SARA:

DJOUMA Felix

3. ROUNGA:

DJIBRINE Youssouf

4. GOULA:

El Hadj ABAKAR B.O

5. KARA:

FOTOR Doungous

6. YOULOU:

ALBAKOUS Philippe

7. NZAKARA:

SALANGA Evariste

8. BORNOU:

BOUKAR Moustapha

9. HAOUSSA:

RABILOU Mahamat

10. ARABIC:

ATAHIR Ousmane

11. PEUHL:

AMAT Ali Bobiri

12. CMOP:

Mle.

CHAFARDINE Victorien

13. CTS:

Adjt Chef MAHAMAT Sallet Soumaine

FOR THE FORUM OFFICE:

President:

Mr. BINGUINENDJI Thierry Evariste, Prefecture of Haute Kotto

Vice-President:

Mr. YOUNOUS Moussa AYATE, Sub-Prefecture of Bria

Rapporteurs:

Mr. MALICK ADoum, Head of PCA de Sam Ouandja

Mr. LEMERCIER Andre, Principal Lycee Djalle Bria

For the Religious Platform

1. For the Catholic Church - Abbe Bruno Stephanie KOMGBO

2. For Protestants:

Pastor Auguste NGBANDE

3. For Islam:

Ousmane Ali

For MINUSCA

Mr. Imtiaz Hussein

Representatives of the following armed groups were present at this Forum:

1. FPRC/MemberCTS [signature]

2. UPC/Member CTS [signature]

3. MPC/Member CTS [signature]

4. RPRC/Member CTS [signature]

5. MLJC/Member CTS [signature]

6. ANTI-BALAKA/Member CTS [signature]