Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed between the Forces de défense contre la balkanisation du Congo (FDBC) and the presidential delegation on 9 September 2020

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Country/entity: Democratic Republic of Congo
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed between the Forces de défense contre la balkanisation du Congo (FDBC) and the presidential delegation on 9 September 2020
Date: 9 Sep 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: Government/territory
Peace process: DRC: Eastern DRC processes
Parties: President Tshisekedi's appointed delegation including former Ituri warlords

Defence Forces Against Balkanisation of the Congo (FDBC) / Forces de défense contre la balkanisation du Congo Leadership:

- Chief of the General Staff: Chui Mutambala

- Spokesperson: Stalone Beby

- Deputy Chief of the General Staff: Awilo Nichunga

(see original language document for images of signatures)
Third parties: -
Description: This agreement is part of a series of dialogues between a touring presidential delegation and local armed groups in Ituri province, focusing on the Defence Forces Against Balkanisation of the Congo (FDBC) group specifically in the Djugu territory of Ituri. The agreement calls for an immediate end to hostilities among armed groups including attacks against Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and Police Nationale Congolaise (PNC). The provisions address a DDR programme as well as establishing a joint team to monitor ceasefire or 'truce'. The agreement also addresses the need for the armed group to support free movement of civilians and leave open humanitarian corridors.

Agreement document: CD_200909_Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed between the Forces de defense contre la balkanisation du Congo - TR.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CD_200909_Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed between the Forces de défense contre la balkanisation du Congo (FDBC) and the presidential delegation on 9 September 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, Section II: On free movement of person, goods, and humanitarian organisations:
Article 5.
The FDBC agree to leave open a humanitarian corridor in order to assist displaced persons and populations in need of humanitarian aid. They also agree to allow free passage of security services with supplies and on various trips.
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, Section II: On free movement of person, goods, and humanitarian organisations:
Article 5.
The FDBC agree to leave open a humanitarian corridor in order to assist displaced persons and populations in need of humanitarian aid. They also agree to allow free passage of security services with supplies and on various trips.

Page 4, Section V. Final provisions:
Article 10.
The FDBC invite the Congolese government to put in place a mechanism for overseeing performance of this truce agreement, which shall consist of a joint team, including members of the FDBC, negotiators sent by the Head of State, the Congolese government and civilian society.
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 2, PREAMBLE
...Whereas the Congolese Head of State has charged certain Ituri community leaders sent from Kinshasa with a peacekeeping mission in Ituri province;...
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, Section II: On free movement of person, goods, and humanitarian organisations:
Article 3.
The FDBC agree to allow free movement of person and their property in Ituri Province.

Page 3, Section II: On free movement of person, goods, and humanitarian organisations:
Article 4.
The FDBC agree to allow the civilian population to go about their business peacefully and freely in Ituri Province.

Page 3, Section II: On free movement of person, goods, and humanitarian organisations:
Article 5.
The FDBC agree to leave open a humanitarian corridor in order to assist displaced persons and populations in need of humanitarian aid. They also agree to allow free passage of security services with supplies and on various trips.
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: Page 3, Section II: On free movement of person, goods, and humanitarian organisations:
Article 3.
The FDBC agree to allow free movement of person and their property in Ituri Province.
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: Page 2, PREAMBLE
Whereas the Congolese head of state made multiple calls on various armed groups active in the eastern DRC to cease hostilities;
Whereas the Congolese head of State called for an end to violence in Ituri during his visit to the Djugu territory in July 2019;
Whereas the Congolese head of state wishes and is committed to restoring the authority of the State in Ituri province;...
Being eager to participate and contribute to efforts to restore peace, security and retore the authority of the State in Ituri Province;
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 3, Section I: Unilateral truce:
The FDBC agree to put an end to hostilities in Ituri Province. The end of hostilities involves an end to attacks against FARDC, and the PNC
Police: Page 3, Section I: Unilateral truce:
The FDBC agree to put an end to hostilities in Ituri Province. The end of hostilities involves an end to attacks against FARDC, and the PNC
Armed forces: Page 3, Section I: Unilateral truce:
The FDBC agree to put an end to hostilities in Ituri Province. The end of hostilities involves an end to attacks against FARDC, and the PNC

Page 3, Section II: On free movement of person, goods, and humanitarian organisations:
Article 5.
... They also agree to allow free passage of security services with supplies and on various trips.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 3, Section III. Accommodation:
Article 6.
The FDBC agree to gather their fighters at the sites provided by Congolese government technical services and/or their partners.

Page 3, Section III. Accommodation:
Article 7.
During the accommodation period, the FDBC not having the means to support themselves, agree to accept food and non-food provisions from the Congolese government and/or its partners to ensure the survival of their fighters.

Page 4, Section IV. Community DDR Process:
Article 8.
The FDBC agree to collaborate with the Congolese government on their disarmament, demobilisation and reinsertion.

Pag 4, Section IV. Community DDR Process:
Article 9.
The collaboration mentioned in Article 8 above shall depend on the outcome of talks which will be held in accordance with Article 2 of this Agreement.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 2, PREAMBLE
Whereas the Congolese head of state made multiple calls on various armed groups active in the eastern DRC to cease hostilities;...

Page 3, Section I: Unilateral truce
Section I: Unilateral truce
The FDBC agree to put an end to hostilities in Ituri Province.
The end of hostilities involves an end to attacks against FARDC, and the PNC.

Page 3, Article 2:
The FDBC agree to enter into talks with the Congolese government regarding the demands made in the specifications given to the delegation sent from Kinshasa by the Congolese Head of State.

Page 3, Section II: On free movement of person, goods, and humanitarian organisations:
Article 3.
The FDBC agree to allow free movement of person and their property in Ituri Province.

Page 3, Section II: On free movement of person, goods, and humanitarian organisations:
Article 4.
The FDBC agree to allow the civilian population to go about their business peacefully and freely in Ituri Province.

Page 3, Section II: On free movement of person, goods, and humanitarian organisations:
Article 5.
The FDBC agree to leave open a humanitarian corridor in order to assist displaced persons and populations in need of humanitarian aid. They also agree to allow free passage of security services with supplies and on various trips.

Page 3, Section III. Accommodation:
Article 6.
The FDBC agree to gather their fighters at the sites provided by Congolese government technical services and/or their partners.

Page 3, Section III. Accommodation:
Article 7.
During the accommodation period, the FDBC not having the means to support themselves, agree to accept food and non-food provisions from the Congolese government and/or its partners to ensure the survival of their fighters.

Page 4, Section IV. Community DDR Process:
Article 8.
The FDBC agree to collaborate with the Congolese government on their disarmament, demobilisation and reinsertion.

Pag 4, Section IV. Community DDR Process:
Article 9.
The collaboration mentioned in Article 8 above shall depend on the outcome of talks which will be held in accordance with Article 2 of this Agreement.

Page 4, Section V. Final provisions:
Article 10.
The FDBC invite the Congolese government to put in place a mechanism for overseeing performance of this truce agreement, which shall consist of a joint team, including members of the FDBC, negotiators sent by the Head of State, the Congolese government and civilian 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: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/S_2020_1283_E.pdf

UNILATERAL TRUCE AGREEMENT WITH DEFENSE FORCES AGAINST BALKANISATION OF THE CONGO IN ITURI PROVINCE

PREAMBLE

Whereas the Congolese head of state made multiple calls on various armed groups active in the eastern DRC to cease hostilities;

Whereas the Congolese head of State called for an end to violence in Ituri during his visit to the Djugu territory in July 2019;

Whereas the Congolese head of state wishes and is committed to restoring the authority of the State in Ituri province;

Whereas the Congolese Head of State has charged certain Ituri community leaders sent from Kinshasa with a peacekeeping mission in Ituri province;

Whereas the delegation visited Djugu territory in 9 September 2020 to meet the Defense Forces Against Balkanisation of the Congo (FDBC) and the population in order to pas on the Congolese Head of State’s message of peace;

Whereas it is necessary to restore peace and security to entities controlled by FDBC in Ituri Province;

Whereas the delegation sent by the Head of State met FDBC on 9 September 2020;

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

THE FDBC AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

Section I:

Unilateral truce

The FDBC agree to put an end to hostilities in Ituri Province.

The end of hostilities involves an end to attacks against FARDC, and the PNC.

Article 2.

The FDBC agree to enter into talks with the Congolese government regarding the demands made in the specifications given to the delegation sent from Kinshasa by the Congolese Head of State.

Section II.

On free movement of person, goods, and humanitarian organisations.

Article 3.

The FDBC agree to allow free movement of person and their property in Ituri Province.

Article 4.

The FDBC agree to allow the civilian population to go about their business peacefully and freely in Ituri Province.

Article 5.

The FDBC agree to leave open a humanitarian corridor in order to assist displaced persons and populations in need of humanitarian aid.

They also agree to allow free passage of security services with supplies and on various trips.

Section III.

Accommodation

Article 6.

The FDBC agree to gather their fighters at the sites provided by Congolese government technical services and/or their partners.

Article 7.

During the accommodation period, the FDBC not having the means to support themselves, agree to accept food and non-food provisions from the Congolese government and/or its partners to ensure the survival of their fighters.

Section IV.

Community DDR Process

Article 8.

The FDBC agree to collaborate with the Congolese government on their disarmament, demobilisation and reinsertion.

Article 9

The collaboration mentioned in Article 8 above shall depend on the outcome of talks which will be held in accordance with Article 2 of this Agreement.

Section V. Final provisions

Article 10.

The FDBC invite the Congolese government to put in place a mechanism for overseeing performance of this truce agreement, which shall consist of a joint team, including members of the FDBC, negotiators sent by the Head of State, the Congolese government and civilian society.

Article 11.

The FDBC agree to perform the terms of this Agreement in good faith, and the same shall take effect on the date of its signature.

Done in TSUGA, on 9 September 2020

(signatories)

*List below includes untranslated descriptions and only the signatories that are legible from the document*

Pour les FDBC:

Chui Mutambala - Chef d'stat (illegible) FDBC

Stalone Beby - (Illegible) FDBC

Awilo Nichunga - (Illegible) FDBC

Les Temoins:

1. Pour la delegation envoyee par le chef de l'Etat

Floribert Njabu Ngabu - Chef de la delegation

2. Les chefs des groupements et des villages

Lotsimo Tcheo-Germain - TSILI

Muzikale Kou - Babulaba

Budjo Libo - LIPRI

3. Les Responsables et Representants de l'Eglise locale

Past.

Buki Mateso - FEDA-CO