NON-AGGRESSION AND COMMUNITY RECONCILIATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE INHABITANTS OF THE 3RD DISTRICT AND THE PEOPLE OF BIMBO III

Considering that the CAR has experienced a military-political crisis since 2012 that has marred the country with inter-communal violence, the erosion of state autonomy, the disruption of social cohesion and the wide-scale displacement of thousands of people inside and outside the country.

Considering that the conflict largely affected the city of Bangui in general, and the 3rd district and the town of Bimbo III in particular, and that it forced inhabitants of the 3rd district to retreat into the Km5 enclave, and some inhabitants of Bimbo III to Displaced Persons sites in Bangui.

Considering that the populations of both communities were victims of looting, assassinations, rapes, and other numerous crimes during the conflict.

Considering that the closure of the Boeing Muslim cemetery since the crisis, which has resulted in unregulated burials in the 3rd district of Bangui, constitutes a major obstacle to restoring social cohesion in both communities and a violation of the right of all human beings to bury their dead with dignity.

Considering the recommendations of the Bangui National Forum of 11 May 2015 and the will of the Central African Government to resolve the inter-communal conflict in the country, and in the 3rd district and in Bimbo III in particular.

Considering, the concerns of young people from both communities about their ability to move freely in the 3rd district and Bimbo III, due to lack of safety, to armed aggression, and the abundant feelings of hatred and revenge.

Considering the willingness shown by young men and women of the 3rd district and Bimbo III to rebuild peace together, with the support of local NGOs, development partners, the international community and of other benevolent people.

We, the Communities of the 3rd District of Bangui and Bimbo III have agreed as follows:

Article 1:

Both communities agree to the immediate reopening of the Boeing Muslim Cemetery to allow the Muslim community to bury its dead with dignity.

Article 2:

The inhabitants of Bangui City's 3rd district pledge to prohibit carrying and use of all weapons during funeral processions crossing the Bimbo III neighborhoods when travelling to the Boeing Muslim Cemetery.

Article 3:

The inhabitants of Bimbo III, for their part, pledge to forbid any obstruction to funeral processions crossing their zone, to guarantee the safety of these processions, and to respect the dead by abstaining from any desecration of graves.

Article 4:

Both communities pledge to outlaw any physical or verbal violence, armed aggression, rape, looting, and all behavior that is likely to aggravate inter-communal tensions.

Article 5:

Both communities pledge to resist any kind of attempt to manipulate members of their communities for political, religious, ethnic, and cultural reasons.

Article 6:

The two communities endeavor to ensure and promote the free movement of persons and goods throughout the 3rd District and Bimbo III.

Article 7:

Both communities pledge to work for peace, and to restore social harmony through living together.

They also pledge to creating a culture of peace based on the new citizenship established by the Bangui National Forum and the strengthening of the Central African Republic’s fundamental values.

Article 8:

The two communities commit to promoting the harmonious coexistence of religions and beliefs and to:

1- Foster mutual respect and friendliness, and to make diversity a key positive aspect of the community.

2- Respect the secular nature of our country, foster mutual respect and cultural diversity, and promote new Central African citizenship among our various communities;

3- Respect and protect Internally Displaced Persons camps, places of worship, public places and the national cultural heritage.

Article 9:

The two communities pledge to denounce all enemies of the peace and repeat offenders who violate the agreement.

These will be reported to the Joint Agreement Monitoring Committee and to the local authorities.

Article 10:

The two parties agree to set up a Joint Committee to monitor and implement this agreement.

Article 11:

Any dispute relating to the interpretation and implementation of the Agreement will be resolved by negotiation between the parties through the established arbitration mechanism.

Article 12:

The two communities pledge to respect and ensure compliance with the provisions contained in this Non-aggression and Communal Reconciliation Agreement.

Given all the above, we recommend the following:

To the Agreement’s Monitoring and Implementation Committee:

1- To organize outreach campaigns in both communities with a view to the real peace of heart and mind of each citizen.

2- To ensure the broad circulation of the content of this Agreement, based on peaceful coexistence.

3- To organize in a reasonable timeframe a ceremony for the signing of the Non-aggression and Communal Reconciliation Agreement.

4- To ensure compliance by the two communities for the effective and timely implementation of the Agreement.

5- To report to the communities any risk of tensions resurging, as well as the progress of joint actions in the field.

To the Government of the Central African Republic:

1- To promote good governance and the unity of the Central African people in line with the recommendations of the Bangui National Forum.

2- To restore the authority of the State in the 3rd district of Bangui and Bimbo III - reassuring citizens through the presence of local authorities and the restoration of justice system.

3- To facilitate the process of exhumation of bodies that were not given a proper burial in the Km5 and Boeing neighborhoods during the crisis, with a view to burying them in the cemetery.

4- To accelerate the process of the DDRR Program for ex-combatants of Bimbo III and of the 3rd district of Bangui.

5- To restore public lighting and the drinking water supply network in Boeing's localities.

6- To begin the re-opening of public schools in Bimbo III and the 3rd district and to begin allocating qualified teachers.

To MINUSCA, the agencies of the United Nations system and the International Community:

We call on MINUSCA to support us in the following areas:

1- To proceed with the public works program (THIMO) with a view to building trust between us and ensuring access to the Boeing cemetery.

2- To facilitate the process of community reconciliation which has already begun, and which may lead to the signing of the Non-Aggression and Community Reconciliation Agreement.

3- To aid young people to fulfilling their commitments.

4- To aid this process of cohabitation by building peace and pursuing development projects.

5- To establish a security and alert system in the key areas of Km5 and Boeing, in order to protect civilians and to ensure the free movement of goods and persons.

6- To support the restoration of State authority by rebuilding the City Hall, the police station and the Boeing market, in collaboration with other partners.

7- Facilitate the DDRR program for ex-combatants and affected communities.

To the NGO FSD and other humanitarian and development partners:

1. To carry out exhumation of bodies that were not given a proper burial during the crisis.

2. To assist Muslim communities in rehabilitating the Boeing Cemetery with the infrastructure required for high-quality burials in accordance with religious norms.

3. To provide assistance through projects that encourage dialog, peaceful cohabitation, strengthening of social cohesion and development, all in aid of the Km5 and Boeing people.

4. To support the efforts of the government to reopen public school institutions, rehabilitation/construction of the Boeing Health Center, and the implementation of community recovery projects in the 3rd district and in Bimbo III.

This Agreement shall be drawn up in two original copies and will come into effect from the date of signature.

Done in Boeing, 11 February 2016 Signed by 14 representatives of the Boeing and PK5 communities (see next page).

SIGNATORIES:

FOR THE EX-ANTl-BALAKA OF BOEING

FOR THE SELF DEFENCE GROUP OF THE 3rd DISTRICT

THE MUSLIM RELIGIOUS LEADER

CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS LEADER

PROTESTANT RELIGIOUS LEADER

FOR THE MONITORING COMMITTEE

FOR THE WOMEN OF KM5

FOR THE WOMEN OF BOEING

FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF KM5

FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF BOEING

FOR THE CIVIL SOCIETY OF BOEING

MAYOR OF THE 3RD DISTRICT

MAYOR OF BIMBO III