Dimbi UPC AB Joint Memorandum

  • Country/entity
    Central African Republic
  • Region
    Africa (excl MENA)
  • Agreement name
    Dimbi UPC AB Joint Memorandum
  • Date
    17 Dec 2018
  • Agreement status
    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement
    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level
    Intrastate/local conflict ( Central African Republic Conflicts (1996 - ) )
  • Stage
    Pre-negotiation/process
  • Conflict nature
    Inter-group
  • Peace process
    CAR: Local Processes
  • Parties
    Signatory parties:

    The head of UPC

    The head of the head of the auto-defense groups

    Chairman of the Committee of Elders

    Youth President

    President of Dimbi Auto-Defense groups

    President of the ACS

    President of OFCA

    The Imam of La Masquée

    The Mayor of MBOUI

    The EWOU Breeding Mayor

    The Mayor of Kémbé
  • Third parties
    -
  • Description
    In this agreement, the representatives of the armed groups, together with representatives of elders, other local civic and religious groups, and representatives of local government, agree that a committee of elders is to be set up to bring the issues that concern the community to the attention of the population and the armed groups. Additionally, they also set a list of solutions supported by the signatories.

Local agreement properties

  • Process type
    Informal but persistent process
  • Rationale
    The armed groups in the Central African Republic have participated in many local agreements, and while there is no formal process in place, there is an ongoing and recognised practice of local negotiations.
  • Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
    No
  • Link to national process: articulated rationale
    The agreement sets up a committee of elders for a particular area, and while the UPC is a signatory and is involved in the broader conflict, the other signatories are predominantly local (religious, civic, and local government representatives).
  • Name of Locale
    Kémbé
  • Nature Of Locale
    Region
  • GPS Lat/Long (DD)
    4.614309, 21.996582
  • Participant type
    Local state actor
    Local armed group
    Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
    Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
  • Mediator, facilitator or similar
    No mention of mediator or similar

Local issues

  • Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)

    No specific mention.

  • Grievance List
    Page 1:
    Considering the military-political crisis that has raged since May 2017 in the prefecture of Basse-Kotto in general and the sub-prefecture of Kémbé in particular. An outbreak of violence and exaction has disrupted the peaceful life of the population:

    Torture, burning of houses, looting, illegal circulation of weapons, taking people hostage, rape, enrollment of child soldiers, attacking the movement of people and goods, etc.
  • Cattle rustling/banditry

    No specific mention.

  • Social cover

    No specific mention.

Prefecture of Basse-Kotto

Sub-prefecture of Kémbé

DIMBI Committee of Elders for Peace, Social Cohesion and National Reconciliation

Central African Republic

Unity - Dignity - Work

MEMORANDUM

Considering the military-political crisis that has raged since May 2017 in the prefecture of Basse-Kotto in general and the sub-prefecture of Kémbé in particular.

An outbreak of violence and exaction has disrupted the peaceful life of the population:

Torture, burning of houses, looting, illegal circulation of weapons, taking people hostage, rape, enrollment of child soldiers, attacking the movement of people and goods, etc.

Given the above, the committee of elders for peace and social cohesion shall be set up by the community and religious leaders to sensitize armed groups and the population to the issues.

REQUIRED SOLUTIONS

Free movement of people and goods;

The release hostages;

The removal of barriers and diversions on the axes;

The protection of the integrity and honor of the two armed groups;

The reopening of communication channels;

Respect for the interests of the agro-pastoral sectors;

The acceleration of the disarmament process by the government and the international community.

Done at Dimbi on 12/17/2018

Signatory parties:

The head of UPC

The head of the head of the auto-defense groups

Chairman of the Committee of Elders

Youth President

President of Dimbi Auto-Defense groups

President of the ACS

President of OFCA

The Imam of La Masquée

The Mayor of MBOUI

The EWOU Breeding Mayor

The Mayor of Kémbé