Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the URDPC/CODECO for peace in Ituri province

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Country/entity: Democratic Republic of Congo
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the URDPC/CODECO for peace in Ituri province
Date: 1 Aug 2020
Agreement status: Unilateral document
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Congo Civil Wars (1996 - )
The overthrow of the long-term dictator Mobutu Sese Seko by a rebel Tutsi army backed by Uganda and Rwanda in 1997 acted as a catalyst for a war with regional dimensions, mainly fought in the eastern Kivu provinces. The conflict escalated in 1998, when President Laurent Kabila, then backed by Zimbabwean and Angolan troops, ordered Rwanda and Uganda to leave. After Kabila’s assassination in 2001, his son Joseph took over the presidency and won in the 2006 democratic elections.

In the eastern provinces, Tutsi-led militias, mainly organised in the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), fought the remnants of the Rwandan Hutu force FDLR, with further involvement of Rwandan and Ugandan troops. Other regionally operating militia groups, like the Lord’s Resistance Army from Northern Uganda, the so-called Mai Mai groups or short-lived guerrilla outfits like the March 23 Movement (M23) further contributed, and still contribute, to the complexity of the situation in eastern DRC.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Territory
Peace process: DRC: Eastern DRC processes
Parties: Pour l'URDPC/CODECO
1. NGUNA KIZA [signature]
2. BASA ZUKPA [signature]
3. LONDROMA NKUKPA [signature] [stamp]
Third parties: Les Témoins:

1. Pour la délégation envoyée par le Chef de l'État
Floribert Ndjabu Mgabu [signature]

2. Les chefs des Groupements et des villages
BUVI VIDJO Emile. Chef de localite2 CODJO [signature]

3. Les Responsables et Représentants de l'Église CODECO
01 KABBULI R'ODA [signature]
02 TSUBA SHALAYBA [signature]
03 BUKI LIVA [signature]
04 ZULO JOLO [signature]

4. Les Organisations de la Société Civile et de la Jeunesse
MANDRO DHEGA Société Civile. [signature]
BELO-LONU/JEUNESSE [signature]
Description: Unilateral ceasefire declaration in which URDPC/CODECO, a non-state armed group active in Djugo territory, commits itself to put an end to hostilities in Ituri Province. The group provides for the safe movement of people (including displaced people), goods and humanitarian aid. It also calls on the Congolese government to provide humanitarian assistance and implement a mechanism to oversee the enforcement of the truce. Finally, the group conditions its commitment to the DDR process to the outcome of tasks with the Congolese government. This unilateral ceasefire is part of a pacification mission in Djugu territory initiated by the President of the Republic on July 13, 2020. In this context, 6 different militias have agreed to join the peace process. These are ALC/CODECO (Armée de Libération du Congo/Coopérative pour le Développement Économique du Congo), URDPC/CODECO (Union des Révolutionnaires pour la Défense du Peuple Congolais), ARDPC/CODECO (Armée des Révolutionnaires pour la Défense du Peuple Congolais), FDBD (La Force pour la Défense de la Balkanisation du Congo), Gutsi's assailants and the FDBC.

Agreement document: CD_200801_Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the URDPC_CODECO for peace in Ituri province.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CD_200801_Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed between the Union des révolutionnaires pour la défense du people congolais (URDPC:CODECO) and the presidential delegation on 1 August 2020.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Substantive
Page 3, Chapter II. On free movement of people, goods and humanitarian services
Article 5.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to leave open a humanitarian corridor in order to assist displaced persons and populations in need of humanitarian aid.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 3, Chapter II. On free movement of people, goods and humanitarian services
Article 5.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to leave open a humanitarian corridor in order to assist displaced persons and populations in need of humanitarian aid.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: Page 3, Chapter II. On free movement of people, goods and humanitarian services
Article 3.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to guarantee free movement of people and their goods in Ituri Province.

Article 4.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to allow the civilian population to peacefully and freely go about their business in Ituri Province.

Article 5.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to leave open a humanitarian corridor in order to assist displaced persons and populations in need of humanitarian aid.
It also agrees to allow free passage of security services to collect supplies and on their various comings and goings.

Article 6.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to gather its fighters at the sites provided by the Congolese government’s technical services and/or its partners.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 3, Chapter 1: On the unilateral truce
Article 1.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to put an end to hostilities in Ituri Province. The end of hostilities includes an end of attacks against the FARDC and the PNC.
Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
Page 3, Chapter 1: On the unilateral truce
Article 2.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to engage in talks with the Congolese government regarding its list of demands made to the delegation sent from Kinshasa by the Congolese Head of State on 14 August 2020.

Page 4, Chapter IV. On the community DDR process
Article 8.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to cooperate with the Congolese government on disarmament and reintegration of its fighters into society.
However, this collaboration shall depend upon the outcome of talks regarding the demands made to the delegation.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Page 3, Chapter 1: On the unilateral truce
Article 6.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to gather its fighters at the sites provided by the Congolese government’s technical services and/or its partners.
Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 4, Chapter IV. On the community DDR process
Article 8.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to cooperate with the Congolese government on disarmament and reintegration of its fighters into society.
However, this collaboration shall depend upon the outcome of talks regarding the demands made to the delegation.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 3, Chapter 1: On the unilateral truce
Article 1.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to put an end to hostilities in Ituri Province. The end of hostilities includes an end of attacks against the FARDC and the PNC.

Article 2.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to engage in talks with the Congolese government regarding its list of demands made to the delegation sent from Kinshasa by the Congolese Head of State on 14 August 2020.

Page 3, Chapter II. On free movement of people, goods and humanitarian services
Article 6.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to gather its fighters at the sites provided by the Congolese government’s technical services and/or its partners.

Page 4, Chapter IV. On the community DDR process
Article 8.
The URDPC/CODECO agrees to cooperate with the Congolese government on disarmament and reintegration of its fighters into society.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 4, Chapter V. Final provisions
Article 10.
The URDPC/CODECO invites the Congolese government to implement a mechanism to oversee enforcement of this agreement, made up of a mix of URDPC/CODECO members, negotiators sent by the Head of State, members of the Congolese government and civilians.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/S_2020_1283_E.pdf (this is on pages 93-97, annex 23)

UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT SIGNED BY THE URDPC/CODECO FOR PEACE IN ITURI PROVINCE

PREAMBLE

Having regard to the multiple calls made by the Congolese Head of State to various armed groups active in the East of the DRC to cease hostilities;

Having regard to the Congolese Head of State’s invitation to end violence in Ituri during his visit to Djugu territory in July 2019;

Having regard to the Congolese Head of State’s wish and commitment to restore the authority of the State in Djugu territory;

Having regard to the mission of keeping peace in Ituri which the Congolese Head of State entrusted to certain community leaders sent from Kinshasa;

Whereas this delegation of leaders traveled to Djugu to meet the commanders of the Union des Revolutionnaires Defense du Peuple Congolais /Cooperative pour le Developpement Economique au Congo (URDPC/CODECO) and the people on 22 July 2020, to bring them the Congolese Head of State’s message of peace;

Having regard to the need to restore peace and security to entities controlled by the URDPC/CODECO in Ituri province;

Having regard to the two meetings with the heads of the URDPC/CODECO in Ndalo and Lodjo, respectively, held on 31 July and 1 August 2020 with the delegation sent by the Head of State;

Being eager to participate in and contribute to efforts to restore peace, security and the authority of the State in Ituri province;

THE URDPC/CODECO AGREES AS FOLLOWS:

Chapter 1:

On the unilateral truce

Article 1.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to put an end to hostilities in Ituri Province.

The end of hostilities includes an end of attacks against the FARDC and the PNC.

Article 2.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to engage in talks with the Congolese government regarding its list of demands made to the delegation sent from Kinshasa by the Congolese Head of State on 14 August 2020.

Chapter II.

On free movement of people, goods and humanitarian services

Article 3.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to guarantee free movement of people and their property in Ituri Province.

Article 4.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to allow the civilian population to peacefully and freely go about their business in Ituri Province.

Article 5.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to leave open a humanitarian corridor in order to assist displaced persons and populations in need of humanitarian aid.

It also agrees to allow free passage of security services to collect supplies and on their various comings and goings.

Article 6.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to gather its fighters at the sites provided by the Congolese government’s technical services and/or its partners.

Article 7.

During the accommodation period, the URDPC/CODECO not having the means to provide for itself, agrees to accept food and other provisions to ensure the survival of its fighters from the Congolese government and/or its partners.

Chapter IV.

On the community DDR process

Article 8.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to cooperate with the Congolese government on disarmament and reintegration of its fighters into society.

However, this collaboration shall depend upon the outcome of talks regarding the demands made to the delegation.

Chapter V. Final provisions

Article 9.

The URDPC/CODECO invites the Congolese government to implement a mechanism to oversee enforcement of this agreement, made up of a mix of URDPC/CODECO members, negotiators sent by the Head of State, members of the Congolese government and civilians.

Article 10.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to perform the terms of this agreement in good faith, which agreement shall enter into force on the date of signature below.

Done at Ala, on 14 August 2020

For the URDPC/CODECO

(signatories)

For the URDPC/CODECO:

1. NGUNA KIZA

2. BASH ZUKPA

3. LONDROMA NDJUKPA

Witnesses:

1. For the Delegation sent for the Head of State:

Floribert Ndjabu Ngabu

2. Group and Village Leaders:

BURI VIDJO Emile - Chef de Localite LODJO

3. Leaders and Representatives of the Local Church:

1. KABBULI R'DDA

2. TSUBA SHALAYBA

3. BUKI LIVA

4. ZULO JOLO

4. Civil Society and Youth Organisations:

MANDRO DHEGA - Societe Civil

BELO-LONU - Youth