Declaration of Understanding of Khartoum, of the Central African Armed Groups (Anti-Balaka and Ex-Seleka)

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Country/entity: Central African Republic
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Declaration of Understanding of Khartoum, of the Central African Armed Groups (Anti-Balaka and Ex-Seleka)
Date: 28 Aug 2018
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Central African Republic Conflicts (1996 - )
The Central African Republic conflict is one of a set of regionally connected conflicts addressed by the African Great Lakes process. After the country gained independence from France in 1960 it has been ruled by a sequence of autocratic leaders that principally gained power through coups. Since the mid-1990s several waves of internal conflict took place in the Central African Republic, primarily along tribal, and later-on increasingly sectarian, lines. In 1996 and 1997, French troops and soldiers from neighbouring countries intervened to end a mutiny in the capital, Bangui, by factions of the army. The fighting was predominantly along tribal lines, with southern tribes in revolt against the ‘northern’ government. A UN mission was installed in 1998 to secure the truce.
After General Bozizé took control of the country after several coup attempts in 2003, a ‘bush war’ began led by armed opposition forces. From late 2006 onward, government troops with French military support severely weakened the rebels. Following this, a number of agreements were signed during 2007-2008, but not all factions have accepted them. In 2011, Bozizé was re-elected in supposedly fraudulent elections, which resulted in a new wave of uprisings. Séléka, an alliance of northern rebel groups, took over parts of the country and forced Bozizé to agree to a power-sharing deal. However, after this agreement broke down, Séléka took control of Bangui and Bozizé had to flee the country in 2013. Leader of Séléka, Michel Djotodia, took office and officially disbanded Séléka. However, continual violence between ex-Séléka groups and opposing militias, collectively known as ‘anti-balaka’, persisted and Djotodia was forced to resign less than a year later. Catherine Samba-Panza was installed as interim president until Faustin Archange Touadéra was elected in January 2016. In February 2019 an agreement was signed between the government and fourteen armed groups, including ex-Seleka groups, committed to disarmament. However, violence between ex-Seleka groups and anti-balaka continues.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: CAR: African Initiative (and related) Process
Parties: The leaders of the following armed groups
Have agreed and signed
FPRC
ANTI-BALAKA
FPRC-CNDS MPC
UPC
Third parties: WITNESSES TO THE KHARTOUM MEETING:
Representative of the Republic of SUDAN
Representative of the Republic of RUSSIA
Description: In this short declaration the Anti-Balaka and Ex-Seleka groups agree to create a common framework for consultation with the aid of several regional and international actors that will lead to a comprehensive agreement. The Ex-Seleka groups formally withdrew from the Agreement on the 18 October 2018.

Agreement document: CF_180828_Khartum_Declaration_of_Understanding_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CF_180828_Khartum_Declaration_of_Understanding_FR.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

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KHARTOUM DECLARATION OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE

CENTRAL AFRICAN ARMED GROUPS

(ANTI-BALAKA AND EX-SELEKA)

We, leaders of the armed groups ANTI-BALAKA and EX-SELEKA, are united in talks to end the crisis in the Central African Republic, our country, held in Khartoum (Sudan) from August 27 to 29, 2018.

Considering the tireless effort of the African initiative and Russia’s contribution towards peace and reconciliation in the Central African Republic;

Considering our will displayed and expressed through various actions to seek a lasting peace, so far without success;

Considering our will as armed groups, ANTI-BALAKA and EX-SELEKA, to come together in a national platform;

Decide the following:

1. By a constitutive act, let us decide today, August 28, 2018, to create a common framework for consultation and action for real and lasting peace in the Central African Republic, called:

Central African Meeting (RCA)

2. The Central African Meeting is strongly linked to the initiative of the African Union for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic.

3. It is resolutely committed to ensuring the security of the civilian population, the free movement of people and goods throughout the national territory, and to safeguarding territorial integrity, as well as the sovereignty of the Central African Republic;

4. The national representatives of the armed groups ANTI-BALAKA and EX-SELEKA agree to work together towards peace by creating favorable conditions for the promotion of business and investment.

5. It is committed to respecting human rights, the free movement of national and international non-governmental organizations, and the protection of humanitarian workers.

6. To this end, We, the Central African Meeting, invite the authorities and the Government of the Central African Republic, the African Union, ECCAS, CEMAC, the European Union, France, the Republic of Russia, and the whole international community, as partners of the Central African Republic, to work together to achieve, within a reasonable timeframe, the foundations of the African initiative for peace and reconciliation in the Central African Republic.

7. The representatives of the armed groups ANTI-BALAKA and EX-SELEKA, intend to provide a manifesto of joint demands to the panel of the African initiative, as well as to the other partners of the Central African Republic.

8. We ask the authorities and Government of the Central African Republic, in the interest of an effective and lasting peace, as well as in the spirit of diversification of partnerships, and intelligent economic diplomacy for the well-being and happiness of the people of the Central African Republic:

to integrate into the peace process conducted under the hospices of the African Union the following States:

o Russia, a friendly country

o SUDAN

o CHAD

o CONGO BRAZZAVILLE

o CAMEROON

o DEMOCRATIC CONGO

o Countries with which we, the Central African Republic, share borders.

We express our sincere thanks to the Republic of Sudan and to the Sudanese people, as well as to His Excellency, Mr. Oumar EI BECHIR, President of the Republic, Head of State, for the fraternal and warm welcome.

We cannot forget the State of Russia and the Representatives of Russia-RCA for their help in ensuring the success of this meeting.

Done at KHARTOUM, August 28, 2018

The leaders of the following armed groups

Have agreed and signed

FPRC

ANTI-BALAKA

FPRC-CNDS

MPC

UPC

WITNESSES TO THE KHARTOUM MEETING:

Representative of the Republic of SUDAN

Declaration of Understanding of Khartoum, of the Central African Armed Groups (Anti-Balaka and Ex-Seleka)

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