Commitment between the 6 Armed Groups of Haute Kotto

  • Country/entity
    Central African Republic
  • Region
    Africa (excl MENA)
  • Agreement name
    Commitment between the 6 Armed Groups of Haute Kotto
  • Date
    9 Apr 2019
  • Agreement status
    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement
    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level
    Intrastate/local conflict ( Central African Republic Conflicts (1996 - ) )
  • Stage
    Framework/substantive - partial
  • Conflict nature
    Inter-group
  • Peace process
    CAR: Local Processes
  • Parties
    Page 1:
    For the Parties
    Ousta Alia The FPRC
    Mine Joseph The RPRC
    Amadou Garba The UPC
    Amat Faya The MPC
    Achafi Daoud Assabour The MLCJ
    Plenga Thierry alias Bokassa MOKOM Wing Anti Balaka
  • Third parties
    Page 1:
    Witnesses
    Binguinedji Thierry Evariste Prefect of Haute Kotto
    YOunous MoussaAyat Sub-prefect of Bria
    BalekouZou Maurice mayor of the town of Bria

    Page 3:
    The representative of the HD Center
    Representative of MINUSCA

    The agreement also lists (Page 3) the Prefect of Haute Kotto, and the Prefectural Committee for the Implementation of the Khartoum Accord as taking part in monitoring alongside the signed third parties.
  • Description
    In this agreement, six armed groups present in the area of Haute Kotto commit to using peaceful means to resolve differences, and particularly with regard to any incitement of violence based on ethnicity and religion, with local government, MINUSCA, and the HD Centre acting as monitors.

Local agreement properties

  • Process type
    Informal but persistent process
  • Rationale
    The local groups in Haute Kotto are regularly signing agreements, many supported by HD Centre and MINUSCA. These agreements do form a persistent process, though there does not appear to be the permanence of participants and a clear timeline that is usually associated with a formal structured process.
  • Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
    Yes
  • Link to national process: articulated rationale
    The link to the national negotiations is twofold: the parties reference the national-level Political Agreement, and they commit to its provisions; additionally, the armed groups signing this agreement are active at the national level.
  • Name of Locale
    Haute Kotto
  • Nature Of Locale
    Region
  • GPS Lat/Long (DD)
    7.576526, 23.014021
  • Participant type
    Local state actor
    Local armed group
    International or transnational actor
    Regional state actor
  • Mediator, facilitator or similar
    Mediator or similar referred to
    Mediator (references)
    MINUSCA, HD Centre
    Type of mediator/facilitator/similar
    International or transnational actor

Local issues

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

    No specific mention.

  • Grievance List
    Page 1:
    Preamble
    [...]
    We, leaders of the armed groups FPRC, RPRC, MLCJ, UPC, MPC, and Anti Balaka wing MOKOME, hereinafter referred to as the "parties"
    Considering that the CAR has been in a military-political crisis since 2012 which has plunged the country into inter-communal violence, the collapse of State Authority, the dislocation of social cohesion, and massive displacement of thousands of people to within and outside the country
    Considering that the conflict has largely affected localities in the interior of the country (including the prefecture of Haute Kotto), with several victims of murder, rape.
    [...]
    Expressing our deep regret at the continued violations of previous agreements, as well as the deplorable loss of life and damage to property caused by recent conflicts;
  • Cattle rustling/banditry

    No specific mention.

  • Social cover

    No specific mention.

COMMITMENT BETWEEN THE 6 ARMED GROUPS OF HAUTE KOTTO

Preamble

We, leaders of the armed groups FPRC, RPRC, MLCJ, UPC, MPC, and Anti Balaka wing MOKOME, hereinafter referred to as the "parties"

Considering that the CAR has been in a military-political crisis since 2012 which has plunged the country into inter-communal violence, the collapse of State Authority, the dislocation of social cohesion, and massive displacement of thousands of people to within and outside the country

Considering that the conflict has largely affected localities in the interior of the country (including the prefecture of Haute Kotto), with several victims of murder, rape

Considering the previous initiatives taken by the international community to establish a negotiated settlement of hostilities in the CAR, Signed on April 23, 2014, in Brazzaville;

Considering the national dynamic instilled by the Bangui National Forum from 04 to 11 May 2015;

Considering the initiatives of September 21 and December 19, 2017, Bria;

Considering the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic between the government and armed groups, signed on February 6, 2019;

Expressing our deep regret at the continued violations of previous agreements, as well as the deplorable loss of life and damage to property caused by recent conflicts;

Aware that tolerance, inclusion, consultation, and dialogue constitute the basis of peace and national unity as expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution of the Central African Republic of March 30, 2016

For the Parties

Ousta Alia The FPRC

Mine Joseph The RPRC

Amadou Garba The UPC

Amat Faya The MPC

Achafi Daoud Assabour The MLCJ

Plenga Thierry alias Bokassa MOKOM Wing Anti Balaka

Witnesses

Binguinedji Thierry Evariste Prefect of Haute Kotto

Younous MoussaAyat Sub-prefect of Bria

BalekouZou Maurice mayor of the town of Bria

Aware that without our commitments to the cardinal principles of good governance, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, Haute Kotto cannot achieve social-economic progress or global growth;

Convinced of the fact that the responsibility for determining the destiny of our region falls on us, according to the realities of our country and based on the values of justice, rule of law, democracy, good governance, respect for people’s fundamental freedom and rights, unity and solidarity, mutual understanding and cooperation among different ethnic communities, and religious groups;

Reaffirming our will to live together and to manage our differences by way of Dialogue and Mediation to fully embrace the dynamics of peace and reconciliation, as specified in the Political Agreement of Peace and Reconciliation in CAR of February 6, 2019;

By signing this act, we make a solemn commitment before the Authorities of Haute Kotto, the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, MINUSCA, and the populations of Bria, to renounce any action on our part that could undermine the security and well-being of the population.

We agree as follows:

Article 1

To put aside our differences and promote the factors which are common to us and which unite us, to meet the challenges we face as members of the Community.

Article 2

To stop all actions on our part that could undermine the security and well-being of the populations of Haute Kotto

Article 3

To cease hostile acts based on ethnicity, religion, or any other motivation against the populations of Haute Kotto

Article 4

From now on, to favor the use of peaceful and legal means for the settlement of all our disputes

Article 5

To oppose and resist any idea of instrumentalization and manipulation of members of our respective communities for sectarian purposes of a political, religious, regional, and/or ethnic nature;

Article 6

The 6 armed groups undertake to support the return of all internally displaced persons and refugees;

Article 7

The 6 armed groups undertake to respect the secular character of the CAR and promote the harmonious coexistence of religions, mutual respect, conviviality, good neighborliness, and promoting the new Central African citizenship between Muslim and Christian communities.

Article 8

The parties' commitment to peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion implies, among other things:

a. Free movement of people and goods, including that of humanitarian personnel throughout Haute Kotto

b. Refraining from damage to property and goods (houses, vehicles, motorcycles, etc.)

Article 9

The parties undertake to respect and implement the provisions of the Agreement to successfully ensure security and peace and in Haute Kotto;

Article 10

In the event of a violation of the terms of this agreement, systematic recourse will be made to the Technical Security Committee established as part of the Political Agreement of Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR;

Article 11

In the days following the signing of this agreement, the 6 armed groups individually and collectively will take joint measures to sensitize their members, so that they cease hostile acts against each other based on ethnicity, religion, and any other motives, including intimidation, extortion, or theft, the use of hostile propaganda and incitement which may endanger life or cause damage to property;

The Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, MINUSCA, the Prefect of Haute Kotto, and the Prefectural Committee for the Implementation of the Khartoum Accord will ensure the implementation of this Agreement and its periodic monitoring;

Article 13

This agreement comes into force upon its signature.

Done in Bria, on [DATE MISSING]

The representative of the HD Center Representative of MINUSCA