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National Reconciliation Pact (Bangui National Reconciliation Conference)

  • Country/entity

    Central African Republic
  • Region

    Africa (excl MENA)
  • Agreement name

    National Reconciliation Pact (Bangui National Reconciliation Conference)
  • Date

    5 Mar 1998
  • Agreement status

    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement

    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level

    Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Central African Republic Conflicts (1996 - ) )
  • Stage

    Framework/substantive - partial
  • Conflict nature

    Government
  • Peace process

    CAR: Bangui process
  • Parties

    His Excellency Ange-Félix PATASSÉ
    President of the Republic
    Government
    National Assembly
    Judiciary
    Armed Forces of the Central African Republic
    Association of Mayor
    Political parties
    ADP Alliance pour la démocratie et le progrès
    CDCAD Carrefour démocratique centrafricain pour le
    développement
    CN Convention nationale
    ELAN Effort libéral en Afrique noire
    FC Forum Civique
    FPP Front patriotique pour le progrès
    GILA-MND Mouvement national pour le développement
    MDD Mouvement pour la démocratie et le développement
    MLPC Mouvement de libération du peuple centrafricain
    MSCA Mouvement socialiste centrafricain
    PAD Parti pour l'action et le développement
    PARELI Parti républicain libéral
    PCD Parti chrétien démocrate
    PLD Parti libéral démocrate
    PRC Parti républicain centrafricain
    PSD Parti social démocrate
    MDI/PS Mouvement pour la démocratie, l'indépendance et le
    progrès social
    MESAN Mouvement d'évolution sociale de l'Afrique noire
    MESAN BOGANDA Mouvement d'évolution sociale de l'Afrique
    noire/Barthélemy Boganda
    MDRC Mouvement pour la démocratie en république
    centrafricaine
    MNR Mouvement national pour le renouveau
    MUD Mouvement pour l'unité et le développement
    RDC Rassemblement démocratique centrafricaine
    UDRP Union pour la démocratie et le renouveau panafricain
    UDR/FK Union démocratique républicaine/Fimi Kodro
    UNDD Union nationale pour la défense de la démocratie
    UPR Union pour la République
    UPDES Union du peuple pour le développement économique et
    sociale
    Trade unions:
    CNTC Confédération nationale des travailleurs centrafricains
    OSLP Organisation des syndicats libres des secteurs public,
    parapublic et privé
    Patronat
    USTC Union syndicale des travailleurs centrafricains
    USCC Union syndicale des chargeurs centrafricains
    UNTC Union nationale des travailleurs centrafricains
    Religious denominations:
    AEEC Association des églises évangéliques centrafricaines
    Catholic Church
    CICA Communauté islamique centrafricain
    Human rights, justice and democracy:
    ACAT Association centrafricaine de lutte contre la torture et
    l'abolition de la peine de mort
    AFJC Association des femmes juristes de Centrafrique
    GERDES Groupement d'études et de recherches pour la démocratie
    et le développement economique et social
    LCDH Ligue centrafricaine des droits de l'homme
    GRPS Groupe de réflexion politique et sociale
    LONDO Levons-nous
    MDDH Mouvement pour la défense des droits de l'homme
    S/1998/219
    English
    Page 8
    GAMPCC Groupe des artistes musiciens pour la promotion de la
    culture en Centrafrique
    OCDH Observatoire centrafricain des droits de l'homme
    GRADDER Groupe de réflexion et d'action pour la défense de la
    démocratie républicaine
    CNDH Commission nationale des droits de l'homme
    National organizations:
    OFCA Organisation des femmes centrafricaines
    KOLI-OUALI GALA Hommes et femmes commerçants
    FNEC Fédération nationale des éleveurs centrafricains
    Fed. BOUBA-NGUERE Fédération des vendeurs ambulants
    JEC Jeunesse étudiante chrétiennes
    FESCA Fédération du Scoutisme centrafricain
    USCA Union scolaire centrafricaine
    CNOSCA Comité national olympique du sport centrafricain
    ACCB Association des commerçants centrafricains du bétail
    ANEC Association nationale des étudiants centrafricains
    ONAPHA Organisation nationale des personnes handicapées
    UMCA Union des musiciens centrafricains
    AVIMUT Association des victimes des mutineries
    CIONGCA Conseil inter-organisation non gouvernementale de
    Centrafrique
    ANBC Association nationale des bouchers centrafricains
    FNCJ Fédération nationale des clubs des jeunesses
    Occupational organization:
    UNPC Union nationale du patronat centrafricain
  • Third parties

    -
  • Description

    Largely rhetorical declaration involving principled commitments. Involves a large number of civil and political groups in the country, committing to democracy, reconciliation, and addressing poverty.


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
    Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
    Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
    Convinced of the need to establish a definitive national reconciliation pact between all Central Africans so as to put an end to political, economic and social practices characterized by nepotism, tribalism, exclusion and poor governance

    Page 2, Article 1
    The parties signatory to this Pact solemnly undertake to practise good governance, excluding nepotism, clanship, tribalism, political patronage and misappropriation of funds
  • Religious groups

    No specific mention.

  • Indigenous people

    No specific mention.

  • Other groups

    No specific mention.

  • Refugees/displaced persons

    No specific mention.

  • Social class

    No specific mention.


Gender

  • Women, girls and gender
    Page 6, Signatory parties
    ....
    OFCA Organisation des femmes centrafricaines
    KOLI-OUALI GALA Hommes et femmes commerçants
  • Men and boys

    No specific mention.

  • LGBTI

    No specific mention.

  • Family
    Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
    Gauging the seriousness of the socio-economic crisis, characterized by growing poverty, the breakdown of family and social ties, the decline in Central African purchasing power and food production and the emergence of famine and widespread malnutrition, which are sources of disturbances and social conflict

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)
    Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→General references
    Page 2, Article 2
    The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
    They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority
  • Elections
    Page 2, Article 2
    The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
    They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority
  • Electoral commission

    No specific mention.

  • Political parties reform

    No specific mention.

  • Civil society
    Agreement signed by civil society actors:

    Trade unions:
    CNTC Confédération nationale des travailleurs centrafricains
    OSLP Organisation des syndicats libres des secteurs public,
    parapublic et privé
    Patronat
    USTC Union syndicale des travailleurs centrafricains
    USCC Union syndicale des chargeurs centrafricains
    UNTC Union nationale des travailleurs centrafricains

    Religious denominations:
    AEEC Association des églises évangéliques centrafricaines
    Catholic Church
    CICA Communauté islamique centrafricain
    Human rights, justice and democracy:
    ACAT Association centrafricaine de lutte contre la torture et
    l'abolition de la peine de mort
    AFJC Association des femmes juristes de Centrafrique
    GERDES Groupement d'études et de recherches pour la démocratie
    et le développement economique et social
    LCDH Ligue centrafricaine des droits de l'homme
    GRPS Groupe de réflexion politique et sociale
    LONDO Levons-nous
    MDDH Mouvement pour la défense des droits de l'homme
    S/1998/219
    English
    Page 8
    GAMPCC Groupe des artistes musiciens pour la promotion de la
    culture en Centrafrique
    OCDH Observatoire centrafricain des droits de l'homme
    GRADDER Groupe de réflexion et d'action pour la défense de la
    démocratie républicaine
    CNDH Commission nationale des droits de l'homme
    National organizations:
    OFCA Organisation des femmes centrafricaines
    KOLI-OUALI GALA Hommes et femmes commerçants
    FNEC Fédération nationale des éleveurs centrafricains
    Fed. BOUBA-NGUERE Fédération des vendeurs ambulants
    JEC Jeunesse étudiante chrétiennes
    FESCA Fédération du Scoutisme centrafricain
    USCA Union scolaire centrafricaine
    CNOSCA Comité national olympique du sport centrafricain
    ACCB Association des commerçants centrafricains du bétail
    ANEC Association nationale des étudiants centrafricains
    ONAPHA Organisation nationale des personnes handicapées
    UMCA Union des musiciens centrafricains
    AVIMUT Association des victimes des mutineries
    CIONGCA Conseil inter-organisation non gouvernementale de
    Centrafrique
    ANBC Association nationale des bouchers centrafricains
    FNCJ Fédération nationale des clubs des jeunesses
    Occupational organization:
    UNPC Union nationale du patronat centrafricain
  • Traditional/religious leaders
    [Summary] Agreement is signed by religious groups.

    Page 5, Religious denominations:
    AEEC Association des églises évangéliques centrafricaines
    Catholic Church
    CICA Communauté islamique centrafricain
  • Public administration

    No specific mention.

  • Constitution
    Governance→Constitution→Constitution affirmation/renewal
    Page 2, Article 2
    The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
    They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority.

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
    Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
    ...
    Considering the flagrant violation of human rights linked to political and military crises

    Page 2, Article 2
    The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
    They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority

    Page 3, Article 6
    The signatories undertake to work together to create the political, social and economic conditions necessary to prevent any violations of human rights.
  • 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
    Page 2, Article 2
    The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
    They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority
  • Detention procedures

    No specific mention.

  • Media and communication

    No specific mention.

  • Mobility/access

    No specific mention.

  • 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
    Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
    Page 2, Article 3
    The signatories call on all Central Africans to unite in rebuilding the country, which has been destabilized politically and torn apart economically, culturally and socially.

    Page 2, Article 4
    The parties signatory to this Pact undertake to launch a frontal attack on poverty, and to support the State in its quest for ways and means of restoring a sound national economy and equitably distributing resources, on the one hand and, on the other, in its efforts to improve the social sectors of education and health, while giving priority attention to the regular payment of wages, scholarships and pensions.
  • 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
    Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
    ...
    Considering the upsurge of insecurity in Bangui and in the interior, owing to the proliferation of weapons and the phenomenon of highway banditry,
    Convinced that only an effort by the entire national community, supported by the international community, can make it possible to find ways and means of restoring peace and security, a sine qua non of the effective resumption of socio-economic activities for peaceful, lasting development
  • Ceasefire

    No specific mention.

  • Police

    No specific mention.

  • Armed forces
    Page 2, Article 2
    The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.
    They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority
  • DDR
    Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
    Page 2, Article 5
    The parties signatory to this Pact launch a strong appeal to the international community to assist the national and international forces of order in their sensitive mission to collect the weapons spread throughout the country and to restore order.
  • Intelligence services

    No specific mention.

  • Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces

    No specific mention.

  • Withdrawal of foreign forces

    No specific mention.

  • Corruption
    Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
    ...
    Considering the upsurge of insecurity in Bangui and in the interior, owing to the proliferation of weapons and the phenomenon of highway banditry,

    Page 2, Article 1
    The parties signatory to this Pact solemnly undertake to practise good governance, excluding nepotism, clanship, tribalism, political patronage and misappropriation of funds
  • Crime/organised crime
    Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
    ...
    Considering the upsurge of insecurity in Bangui and in the interior, owing to the proliferation of weapons and the phenomenon of highway banditry,

    Page 2, Article 1
    The parties signatory to this Pact solemnly undertake to practise good governance, excluding nepotism, clanship, tribalism, political patronage and misappropriation of funds
  • 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
    Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
    ...
    Convinced of the need to establish a definitive national reconciliation pact between all Central Africans so as to put an end to political, economic and social practices characterized by nepotism, tribalism, exclusion and poor governance

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 2, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
    ...
    Aware of the need to establish a Monitoring and Arbitration Committee responsible for settling any disputes that may arise from non-compliance with the provisions of this Pact

    Page 2, Article 5
    The parties signatory to this Pact launch a strong appeal to the international community to assist the national and international forces of order in their sensitive mission to collect the weapons spread throughout the country and to restore order.

    Page 3, Article 7
    The parties signatory to this Pact decide to establish a Monitoring and Arbitration Committee to monitor the implementation of the undertakings set forth in this Pact and to serve as an arbitrator in any disputes that may arise.
    They undertake to have recourse to the Committee in the case of non-compliance with the provisions of this Pact.
    The composition, powers and functions of the Monitoring and Arbitration Committee are set forth as an annex to this Pact.
  • Related cases

    No specific mention.

  • Source
    UN Peacemaker. Available at: https://peacemaker.un.org/carnationalreconciliationpact98 (Accessed 6 October 2020).

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION PACT

National Reconciliation Conference, held in Bangui from 26 February to 5 March 1998

The parties signatory to this Pact:

In view of the Constitution of 14 January 1995,

Noting the grave political and military crisis which shook the Central African Republic in 1996 and

1997,

Recognizing that this crisis nearly engulfed the entire country in chaos, which would have entailed

incalculable consequences for the preservation of national unity and sovereignty,

Aware of the fact that the meeting on consensus-building and dialogue held in Bangui from 11 to 18

January 1997 rekindled the hopes of Central Africans that solutions to this crisis would be found,

Convinced of the commitment of the signatories to respect the conclusions of the Bangui Agreements

and to strive to restore a genuine, lasting peace,

Gauging the seriousness of the socio-economic crisis, characterized by growing poverty, the

breakdown of family and social ties, the decline in Central African purchasing power and food

production and the emergence of famine and widespread malnutrition, which are sources of

disturbances and social conflict,

Considering the upsurge of insecurity in Bangui and in the interior, owing to the proliferation of

weapons and the phenomenon of highway banditry,

Convinced that only an effort by the entire national community, supported by the international

community, can make it possible to find ways and means of restoring peace and security, a sine qua

non of the effective resumption of socio-economic activities for peaceful, lasting development,

Considering the flagrant violation of human rights linked to political and military crises,

Noting the repeated violations of the commitments made by Central Africans to each other,

Convinced of the need to establish a definitive national reconciliation pact between all Central

Africans so as to put an end to political, economic and social practices characterized by nepotism,

tribalism, exclusion and poor

governance,

Aware of the need to establish a Monitoring and Arbitration Committee responsible for settling any

disputes that may arise from non-compliance with the provisions of this Pact,

In view of the relevant recommendations resulting from the work of the National Reconciliation

Conference,

Have solemnly agreed as follows:

Article 1

The parties signatory to this Pact solemnly undertake to practise good governance, excluding

nepotism, clanship, tribalism, political patronage and misappropriation of funds,

They also undertake to settle or help to settle, through dialogue and consensus-building, all

disputes that may arise.

Article 2

The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government

power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government

power.

They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow

terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the

national Constitution.

They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people

and respect the rights of the minority.

Article 3

The signatories call on all Central Africans to unite in rebuilding the country, which has been

destabilized politically and torn apart economically, culturally and socially.

Article 4

The parties signatory to this Pact undertake to launch a frontal attack on poverty, and to support

the State in its quest for ways and means of restoring a sound national economy and equitably

distributing resources, on the one hand and, on the other, in its efforts to improve the social

sectors of education and health, while giving priority attention to the regular payment of wages,

scholarships and pensions.

Article 5

The parties signatory to this Pact launch a strong appeal to the international community to assist

the national and international forces of order in their sensitive mission to collect the weapons

spread throughout the country and to restore order.

Article 6

The signatories undertake to work together to create the political, social and economic conditions

necessary to prevent any violations of human rights.

Article 7

The parties signatory to this Pact decide to establish a Monitoring and Arbitration Committee to

monitor the implementation of the undertakings set forth in this Pact and to serve as an arbitrator

in any disputes that may arise.

They undertake to have recourse to the Committee in the case of non-compliance with the provisions

of this Pact.

The composition, powers and functions of the Monitoring and Arbitration Committee are set forth as

an annex to this Pact.

Article 8

The parties signatory to this Pact undertake to respect scrupulously the provisions contained

therein.

DONE at Bangui on 5 March 1998

[Signed]

His Excellency Ange-Félix PATASSÉ President of the Republic

Government National Assembly Judiciary

Armed Forces of the Central African Republic

Association of Mayor

Political parties

ADP Alliance pour la démocratie et le progrès

CDCAD Carrefour démocratique centrafricain pour le développement

CN Convention nationale

ELAN Effort libéral en Afrique noire

FC Forum Civique

FPP Front patriotique pour le progrès

GILA-MND Mouvement national pour le développement

MDD Mouvement pour la démocratie et le développement

MLPC Mouvement de libération du peuple centrafricain

MSCA Mouvement socialiste centrafricain

PAD Parti pour l'action et le développement

PARELI Parti républicain libéral

PCD Parti chrétien démocrate

PLD Parti libéral démocrate

PRC Parti républicain centrafricain

PSD Parti social démocrate

MDI/PS Mouvement pour la démocratie, l'indépendance et le progrès social

MESAN Mouvement d'évolution sociale de l'Afrique noire MESAN BOGANDA Mouvement

d'évolution sociale de l'Afrique

noire/Barthélemy Boganda

MDRC Mouvement pour la démocratie en république centrafricaine

MNR Mouvement national pour le renouveau

MUD Mouvement pour l'unité et le développement

RDC Rassemblement démocratique centrafricaine

UDRP Union pour la démocratie et le renouveau panafricain

UDR/FK Union démocratique républicaine/Fimi Kodro

UNDD Union nationale pour la défense de la démocratie

UPR Union pour la République

UPDES Union du peuple pour le développement économique et sociale

Trade unions:

CNTC Confédération nationale des travailleurs centrafricains

OSLP Organisation des syndicats libres des secteurs public, parapublic et privé

Patronat

USTC Union syndicale des travailleurs centrafricains

USCC Union syndicale des chargeurs centrafricains

UNTC Union nationale des travailleurs centrafricains Religious denominations:

AEEC Association des églises évangéliques centrafricaines Catholic Church

CICA Communauté islamique centrafricain Human rights, justice and democracy:

ACAT Association centrafricaine de lutte contre la torture et l'abolition de la peine

de mort

AFJC Association des femmes juristes de Centrafrique

GERDES Groupement d'études et de recherches pour la démocratie et le développement

economique et social

LCDH Ligue centrafricaine des droits de l'homme

GRPS Groupe de réflexion politique et sociale

LONDO Levons-nous

MDDH Mouvement pour la défense des droits de l'homme

S/1998/219

English Page 8

GAMPCC Groupe des artistes musiciens pour la promotion de la culture en Centrafrique

OCDH Observatoire centrafricain des droits de l'homme GRADDER Groupe de

réflexion et d'action pour la défense de la

démocratie républicaine

CNDH Commission nationale des droits de l'homme National organizations:

OFCA Organisation des femmes centrafricaines KOLI-OUALI GALA Hommes et femmes

commerçants

FNEC Fédération nationale des éleveurs centrafricains Fed.

BOUBA-NGUERE Fédération

des vendeurs ambulants

JEC Jeunesse étudiante chrétiennes

FESCA Fédération du Scoutisme centrafricain

USCA Union scolaire centrafricaine

CNOSCA Comité national olympique du sport centrafricain ACCB Association

des commerçants centrafricains du bétail

ANEC Association nationale des étudiants centrafricains ONAPHA Organisation

nationale des personnes handicapées UMCA Union des musiciens centrafricains

AVIMUT Association des victimes des mutineries

CIONGCA Conseil inter-organisation non gouvernementale de Centrafrique

ANBC Association nationale des bouchers centrafricains

FNCJ Fédération nationale des clubs des jeunesses Occupational organization:

UNPC Union nationale du patronat centrafricain

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