Déclaration de principe des parties aux négociations de Libreville sur la crise Centrafricaine

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Déclaration de principe des parties aux négociations de Libreville sur la crise Centrafricaine
Date: 11 Jan 2013
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate 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: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: CAR: coups and rebellions process
Parties: For the CAR Government
- Jean WILLYBIRO SAKO

For the SELEKA Coalition (UFDR, CPJP, CPSK, UFR)
- Michel DJOTODJIA

For the Politico-Military Movements
- Abdoulaye HISSEIN

For the Democratic Opposition
- Master Nicolas TIANGAYE

For CEEAC
- Nassour GUELENGDOUKSIA OUAIDOU, Secretary General of CEEAC

For the Republic of Chad
- Moussa Faki MAHAMAT, Minister of Foreign Affairs

For the President of the Monitoring Committee (Comite de Suivi)
- Basile IKOUEBE, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Congo
Third parties: -
Description: This agreement provides for the cessation of hostilities without delay or conditions.Other issues covered include humanitarian assistance, human rights and sexual violence in conflict.

Agreement document: CF_130111_DeclarationDePrincipeSurLaCriseCentrafricaine_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_130111_DeclarationDePrincipeSurLaCriseCentrafricaine.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Main category: Page 1, We, the belligerent parties concerned, undertake in the present Declaration to:
...
• Respect humans rights, particularly those of women and children, and to abstain from acts of sexual violence towards women, and from recruiting children as soldiers;

Women, girls and gender

Participation: No specific mention.
Equality: No specific mention.
Particular groups of women: No specific mention.
International law: International law→General IHRL, IHL and IL
Page 2, Para 7
Through this declaration concerning the warring parties, we commit to:
...
respect human rights, particularly children's and women's rights, and to refrain from all acts of sexual violence against women on the one hand, and the recruitment of child soldiers on the other hand.
New institutions: No specific mention.
Violence against women: Violence against women→Sexual violence
Page 2, Para 7
Through this declaration concerning the warring parties, we commit to:
...
respect human rights, particularly children's and women's rights, and to refrain from all acts of sexual violence against women on the one hand, and the recruitment of child soldiers on the other hand.
Transitional justice: No specific mention.
Institutional reform: No specific mention.
Development: No specific mention.
Implementation: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

DECLARATION IN PRINCIPLE OF THE PARTIES TO THE LIBREVILLE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE CENTRAL AFRICAN CRISIS

THE PRESENT DECLARATION TO BE EXAMINED AND ADOPTED BY THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT, TO CREATE A CLIMATE OF CONFIDENCE AND FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS FOR PEACEFUL DIALOGUE

DECLARATION IN PRINCIPLE OF THE PARTIES TO THE NEGOTIATIONS

We, the parties to the Libreville negotiations

Moved by the desire to engage in fruitful negotiations to bring peace and security to our country,

Wishing, to this end, to create a calm and confident atmosphere throughout these negotiations

Conscious of the suffering inflicted on the Central African people so badly hurt by many years of war and instability

Determined to engage in fruitful negotiations in a spirit of frank and sincere dialogue, of fraternity and reconciliation, and of mutual respect,

Undertake by the present Declaration concerning the belligerent Parties to:

Firmly respect the declaration of the Heads of State on this crisis;

Immediately and unconditionally cease hostilities;

Open humanitarian corridors to allow humanitarian organisations to bring aid and assistance to afflicted populations;

Respect humans rights, particularly those of women and children, and to abstain from acts of sexual violence towards women, and from recruiting children as soldiers;

End the formation of militias and the distribution of arms.

In addition we undertake to:

Use the Libreville Global Peace Accord of 2008, the main conclusions of the inclusive political dialogue, and the current political and security situation in the Central African Republic, as a basis for negotiation;

Address any question necessary to find a definitive political solution to the crisis;

Enter into dialogue in a republican spirit of tolerance, of responsibility, of mutual tolerance and compromise, in order to arrive at an agreement acceptable to all, in the greater interest of the Central African Nation;

Express our confidence in the role of Heads of State and of Regional Governments, engaged in returning peace and security to the Central African Republic in particular and in general to Central Africa;

Furthermore we undertake to:

Abstain from any public declaration which may prejudice the smooth running of these negotiations;

We acknowledge our gratitude for and our confidence in this mediation, and affirm our unambiguous desire to find a peaceful solution to the Central African crisis for the happiness and well-being of our people.

Done in Libreville, January 11, 2013

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