Gambo - Pombolo Peace and Reconciliation Agreement

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Gambo - Pombolo Peace and Reconciliation Agreement
Date: 20 Mar 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: Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: CAR: Local Processes
Parties: Page 6:
The president of Gambo

The president of Pombolo

The Mayor of GAMBO

The Mayor Municipality of Pombolo
Third parties: Not signed, but mentioned in the agreement preamble, page 2:
"Thanking MINUSCA for its mediation efforts since October 2018, as well as for its technical and logistical support in the organization of the direct and inclusive dialogue of March 20, 2019"
Description: This is an agreement made by representatives of communities of Gambo and Pombolo, with the aim of supporting the security arrangements in their area (Mbomou prefecture). The core of the agreement is in security guarantees and removal of social cover from those engaged in violence. The sides also issue a series of recommendations for other actors: armed groups, the CAR government, and MINUSCA.

Agreement document: CF_190320_Gambo Pombolo Peace and Reconciliation Agreement_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_190320_Gambo Pombolo Peace and Reconciliation Agreement.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Main category: Page 2, Untitled Preamble:
Deploring the successive and repeated displacements of population affecting all communities concerned and in particular the vulnerable, women, and children,

Underlining the essential role of women in the peace and development processes in the Gambo sub-prefecture

Women, girls and gender

Participation: Participation→Other
Page 2, Untitled Preamble:
Underlining the essential role of women in the peace and development processes in the Gambo sub-prefecture
Equality: No specific mention.
Particular groups of women: No specific mention.
International law: No specific mention.
New institutions: No specific mention.
Violence against women: No specific mention.
Transitional justice: No specific mention.
Institutional reform: No specific mention.
Development: No specific mention.
Implementation: No specific mention.
Other: Page 2, Untitled Preamble:
Deploring the successive and repeated displacements of population affecting all communities concerned and in particular the vulnerable, women, and children,

Peace Committees of Gambo and Pombolo - CENTRAL AFRICAN Republic

Unity - Dignity - Work

Gambo - Pombolo Peace and Reconciliation Agreement

March 20, 2019

We, the peace and reconciliation committees of Gambo and Pombolo, participants in the inclusive direct dialogue of March 20, 2019, in Gambo

Adhering to the commitments of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic, signed in Bangui on February 6, 2019

Stressing the need for a rapid, lasting, and definitive return to peace and security in the Gambo sub-prefecture and more generally in the Mbomou prefecture, to promote equitable and shared development for the population;

Highlighting the history of peace and cohesion between the communities of Gambo and Pombolo, in particular between herders and farmers, to ease tensions;

Recognizing that the communities of Gambo and Pombolo must take responsibility for the security of the sub-prefecture in an autonomous and peaceful manner

Determined to support the efforts related to pacification, security, and restoration of State authority throughout the Gambo sub-prefecture

Deploring the successive and repeated displacements of population affecting all communities concerned and in particular the vulnerable, women, and children,

Underlining the essential role of women in the peace and development processes in the Gambo sub-prefecture

Thanking MINUSCA for its mediation efforts since October 2018, as well as for its technical and logistical support in the organization of the direct and inclusive dialogue of March 20, 2019

Make the following commitments and recommendations

Security and Reconciliation

Commitments:

1. 1.

To aid throughout the entire population of the Gambo sub-prefecture the free movement of goods and people as well as the total and definitive elimination of all illegal barriers.

1. 2.

To refrain from carrying out acts that will undermine peace and security, in particular any act of provocation, any speech, or any statement likely to fuel tensions or encourage the resumption of hostilities.

1.3. Prioritize the non-violent resolution of conflicts and ensure the competent authorities to deal with any action undermining peace and security.

1.4 While acknowledging the mistakes made by each community in the past, turning a new page and prioritizing actions leading to peace.

1.5. Keep local authorities and MINUSCA informed of all threats to security and peace in the sub-prefecture.

1.6. Support local authorities to ensure that the carrying of weapons by civilians is prohibited.

1. 7.

Refer to the Mbomou Prefectural Implementation Committee for all violations of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation and make recommendations where appropriate.

1.8. As far as possible, without calling into question the sovereign functions of the State, take the necessary actions to allow for the order to be maintained.

In this sense, do not protect or cover for those who commit infractions and inform the authorities.

1.9 Extend the dialogue between the Peace Committees by opening it up to the Ngandou commune, therefore supporting Ngandou in the creation of his own Peace Committee.

Recommendations:

- To armed groups

1.10.

Total, immediate, and final cessation of hostilities throughout the Gambo sub-prefecture as well as all acts of violence, in particular against the civilian population.

1.11.

Remove and do not install any illegal barriers in Pombolo and Gambo as well as throughout the sub-prefecture.

- To MINUSCA

1.12.

Support the commune of Ngandou in the formation of a Peace Committee.

1.13.

Work jointly with the government for the consolidation of peace and the restoration of state authority.

- To the CAR Government

1.14.

Deploy Defense and Security Forces in Gambo and Kémbé permanently to deter any violent activity throughout this axis.

Humanitarian Assistance and Development

Commitments

2.1. Help to create conditions favorable to the free and secure delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the sub-prefecture.

2.2. Make every effort to support those returning to Gambo and Pombolo.

2.3. Help with the reconstruction of destroyed or damaged religious buildings, and engage in dialogue in this regard with the relevant NGOs.

2.4. Support the reconstruction of Muslim houses in Gambo.

Recommendations:

- To armed groups

2.5. Ensure the free movement of all humanitarian actors throughout the sub-prefecture

- To MINUSCA

2.6 Evaluate the feasibility of launching a Community Violence Rehabilitation (CVR) program in the Gambo sub-prefecture,

27. Investigate the possibility of a QIP project intended for the construction of a college in Gambo, which would be the only one in the sub-prefecture (although teachers are already present).

2.8. Take into account the situation of young people by creating a vocational training center or facilitating leisure structures to encourage young people away from engagement in armed groups.

2.9. Sustainably renovate the Pombolo Bangassou road and not just by "digging up the ground".

- To humanitarian actors

2.10.

Consider greater humanitarian support for the Ngandou commune, which fears being isolated because of its location outside the main axis.

2.11.

Support the revival of breeding and agrarian activities, in particular by supplying seeds.

2.12.

Help the Gambo Health Centre to improve the medical response in the sub-prefecture.

2.13.

Build a drinking water point in Pombolo and a borehole in Gambo.

2.14.

Provide emergency humanitarian aid to those returning from Gambo and Pombolo, in particular by providing seeds, tarpaulins, and NFI kits.

2.15.

Rebuild the destroyed schools in the villages of Ndebo and Yenge.

2.16.

Support women's associations in Gambo and Pombolo, through Income Generating Activities.

- To the government

2.17.

Aid with the restoration of a telephone network to Gambo and Pombolo.

2.18.

Aid with the restoration of radio reception to Gambo and Pombolo.

2.19.

Support the women of the Gambo sub-prefecture by Celebrating Mother's Day or March 8th so that the women of Gambo no longer feel abandoned.

Final provisions

3.10.

The above provisions are applicable upon signature of this agreement.

3.11.

To follow up on the provisions of this agreement, a “Joint Monitoring Committee” (including the Municipality of Ngandou) will be formed, whose members will be determined by the respective peace committees.

Done in Gambo, March 20, 2019.

Signatory parties :

The president of Gambo

The president of Pombolo

The Mayor of GAMBO

The Mayor Municipality of Pombolo