Immediate Priorities for Stabilization, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic
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ADVOCACY DOCUMENT IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES FOR StaBILIZATION, PEACEBUILDING AND RECONCILiatiON IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC PRESENTED at THE High-Level SIDE EVENT ON CAR AT THE 70TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBly, OCTOBER 1, 2015 Immediate PRIORITIES FOR StaBILIZATION, PEACEBUILDING AND RECONCILiatiON IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC FOREWORD At this crucial stage in the history of the Central African Republic (CAR), we are gathered here with you to keep the flame of hope alive after the organization of the consultations with the people of CAR, a historic moment for my country since the people of the 16 prefectures took part in these consultations. The Bangui National Forum that followed confirmed the commitment of the people to put CAR back on the road of stability, reconciliation and peace. This Forum, for the political class, Central African civil society and armed groups, led to a historic consensus to turn the page on the various crises and usher in a new chapter of hope where security, reconciliation, justice, the fight against impunity, governance and economic development are now positioned as the major priorities for CAR. This, then, is the ideal we are pursuing. Meanwhile, we must also overcome the last challenge of the transition, that of organizing and holding a range of elections, particularly the presidential and parliamentary polls. Holding free, credible, inclusive and transparent elections over the entire country before 30 December 2015, pursuant to the ECCAS decision of July 2015, will mark the return to constitutional order and the end of the transition period. In this regard it is important, urgent even, to mobilize substantial financial resources not only for the implementation of all the operations to do with the organization of credible elections whose results are accepted by all, but also and especially for the many challenges after the transition. It is in this new political context that the priority recommendations of the Bangui National Forum with regards to Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), Security Sector Reform (SSR), implementation of the Special Criminal Court towards fighting impunity, establishment of the Human Rights Commission, restoration of the authority of the State and management of public finances at the local level, as well as economic recovery, will be addressed by the newly elected authorities during their first months of power. On this occasion, we would like to reassure you of our willingness and determination to prepare in the best possible way the transfer of authority to the new authorities chosen in the elections, while counting on you, our international partners, through your support for work towards peace and stability for CAR to regain its reputation and implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Above: Opening of the Forum of Bangui in the Central African Republic on 04 May 2015 . UN Photo, Catianne Tijerina Cover: Youth cheer at the opening of the Bangui Forum in May 2015. UN Photo, Catianne Tijerinaù Right: Portrait of Catherine Samba-Panza, President of the Catherine Samba-Panza, Transitional Government of the Central African Republic President of the Transitional Government UN Photo, Catianne Tijerina of the Central African Republic 1 Immediate PRIORITIES FOR StaBILIZATION, PEACEBUILDING AND RECONCILiatiON IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Workers lay tarp on a dirt road on 27 June 2014 as funds were allocated to improve the traffic in the capital Bangui. UN Photo, Catianne Tijerina OVERVIEW Since the latest crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) erupted in 2012, the country has made great strides in emerging from a violent internal conflict, including the signing of a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between armed groups on 23 July 2014, and the holding of local consultations throughout the country which culminated in the Bangui Forum on National Reconciliation held in May 2015. The Bangui Forum marked an important milestone in fostering national cohesion around a electoral code, including the participation of refugees in elections, have contributed to defining series of objectives and outcomes to achieve stabilization in CAR. It brought together nearly 700 the legal framework of the electoral process. This progress has helped finalize the tripartite representatives from the Transitional Authority, armed groups, civil society, religious, youth and agreement between CAR, the UN and neighboring countries. Despite considerable efforts to get “The people of women’s groups to discuss the different elements of the country’s peace consolidation agenda the support of the international community and mobilize the necessary funds for the organization and define a shared vision and aspirations for the future of their country.S ignificant outcomes of of elections, the necessary resources are still lacking. CAR are the Forum included the Republican Pact on reconciliation laying out priorities for the country as committed to agreed by Central Africans, an agreement on the principles of the disarmament, demobilization, However, the security situation is stabilizing, although petty crime and banditry are still rife. In the reintegration and repatriation process, and an agreement to end the recruitment and use of child rest of the country, instability prevails in certain areas, displacing thousands of people as is the put the country soldiers. case in Bambari, Batangafo, Bria and Bouca. back on the road The international community has pledged its full support to the Transitional Authority’s efforts to Based on the conclusions of the Bangui Forum, an awareness campaign for pre-DDR activities was of stability, end the crisis in CAR and to bring the political transition to an end through democratic elections. undertaken pending the necessary funding for the implementation of a proper DDRR programme. Key international partners, already on the ground in CAR, including the African Union, the European This was done to create favorable conditions for the implementation of the DDRR programme reconciliation Union, the United Nations, the World Bank, as well as bilateral and regional actors including the and the restoration of a climate of peace and security for the elections. Labor-intensive income and peace.” Mediator, are working in support of the CAR authorities and to maintain international attention on generation activities were launched for at-risk youth among communities affected by the conflict. Catherine Samba-Panza, CAR. International partners have stepped forward to fund important objectives such as elections; Another challenge is the possible integration of some former combatants from armed groups President of the that are signatories to the DDRR agreement into national security forces. This will depend on the however, other critical activities remain unfunded or partially funded. Transitional Government absorption capacity of the forces needing to be reformed, and will need to be done according to While significant challenges remain to address humanitarian and longer-term development strict criteria of professionalism and ethical conduct, in line with the resolutions of the UN Security needs, momentum needs to be maintained on the most critical priorities articulated by Central Council, and relevant decisions of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, as well as Africans themselves during the Bangui Forum, which include: i) DDRR and SSR, ii) Justice and conclusions from the meetings of the International Contact Group (ICG) in CAR. Reconciliation, and iii) Decentralized State Authority and Economic Development. The CAR authorities and their partners have identified these priorities, which include the elections, as the The recommendations of the Bangui Forum, confirmed by the conclusions of the meeting of most urgent and achievable in the immediate post-election period (12-18 months) and the most the ICG in July 2015 called on the transitional authorities to hold a policy discussion with all transformative for the peace process in the long-term. This document outlines the rationale for national actors to reach consensus and common understanding of national security priorities and the three critical priorities and includes a high-level overview of the main activities foreseen under necessary reforms in the security sector. This policy discussion is needed before the election and it each, as well as a table with funding requirements which is presented in annex I. should identify the principles underlying the future National Security Policy to be pursued by the elected government. Continuous efforts to reorganize and build the operational capacity of the Important progress has been made in a number of areas, in particular since the Bangui Forum, national security forces are still ongoing and supported by the international community. However including in electoral preparations, security and justice and reconciliation. The Government has they should not be seen as a panacea for undertaking structural and organizational reforms. set up a Monitoring Committee to follow up on the Bangui Forum and entrusted the members of this Committee to implement the Forum’s conclusions. In the same vein, a Strategic Committee The law that establishes the Special Criminal Court was adopted on 22 April 2015 and passed on working solely to advance the electoral process has been set up, involving the Government, the 3 June 2015, following an eight-month process. It will be a hybrid judicial mechanism, composed National Election Authority (ANE), the National Transitional