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

  • 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 - ) )
  • 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.


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

Past.

Barongo Fabian -

4. Les Organisations de la Societe Civile et de la Jeunesse

NGUNA OJUBBU - Pres.

Jeuue / LIPRI

Belo Bujumani - TSILI