African Union Commission Report Post-Conflict Reconstruction And

AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE

UNIÃO AFRICANA Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, P.O. Box: 3243 Tel.: (251-11) 5513 822 Fax: (251-11) 5519 321 Email: [email protected]

African Union Commission Report

Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Assessment

Central African Republic

7-17August 2016

Table of Contents

ER ROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 4

INTRODUCTION ...... 9

COMPOSITION OF THE TEAM ...... 9 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY...... 10

LIMITATIONS AND SCOPE...... 10

STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGED ...... 11

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT ...... 11

PREVIOUS ASSESSMENTS’ FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 13

FINDINGS OF THE CURRENT ASSESSMENT MISSION ...... 14

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES...... 15

RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 20

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS...... 23

ANNEXURE 1: FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF PREVIOUS NEEDS ASSESSMENTS IN CAR ...... 25 ANNEXURE 2: SPECIFIC FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS MATRIX ...... 32

ANNEXURE 3: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY IN FRENCH ...... 51

ANNEXURE 4 – REFERENCES ...... 57

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ACCORD African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes AfDB African Development Bank AFISMA African-led International Support Mission to Mali AGA African Governance Architecture AU African Union AUC African Union Commission AU PSC African Union Peace and Security Council AU RTF African Union Regional Task Force CAR Central African Republic CEMAC Central African Economic and Monetary Community COMESA Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa DDRR Demobilization, Disarmament Rehabilitation and Reintegration DRC Democratic Republic of Congo ECCAS Economic Community of Central African States FACA Central African Military Force LRA Lord’s Resistance Army MINUSCA United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic MINUSMA United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali MISAC African Union Mission in the Central African Republic and Central Africa MISCA African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic MONUSCO United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo PCRD Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development RCI-LRA Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord’s Resistance Army RECs Regional Economic Communities RTF Regional Task Force USSF United States Special Forces SSR Security Sector Reforms UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNOCA United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa

Executive Summary

1. At the request of the African Union Commission (AUC), and pursuant to a resolution of the AU Peace and Security Council during its 612th Meeting held on 26 July 2016, a team of experts conducted a needs assessment on post conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) in Central African Republic (CAR) from 7-17 August 2016. The main findings of the assessment include the following:

2. Security

a) The security situation remains fragile with prevalence of human rights abuses, incidences of outbreak of violence, tension, and criminality throughout the country. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of state authority in most parts of the country which consequently translates to general civilian population apathy, frustration and emergence of self-help armed militia groups, banditry and criminality as a way and means of survival.

b) The CAR defense and security forces are largely incapacitated with desertions, indiscipline and lack equipment, uniforms, weapons as well as appropriate command structures which has severely restricted their ability to provide security and deploy. While efforts are underway to undertake nationally owned, driven and informed security sector reforms (SSR) as well as demobilization, disarmament rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) programmes, the United Nations (UN) Security Council Sanctions and arms embargo severely restricts the ability of CAR’s security forces’ current capacity to provide security, with MINUSCA filling the gap, albeit with a limited mandate to protection of civilians and government’s strategic infrastructure and officials.

c) Armed groups particularly the former Seleka and Anti-Balaka elements continue to control large territories of the country including areas rich in natural resources, levying illegal taxes, causing intimidation and committing serious human rights violations and atrocities to civilian populations.

d) The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) remains a significant threat to peace and security. The result has been internal displacement of civilian populations, recruitment of child soldiers, abduction of women, looting, destruction of property, human rights violations, atrocities and abuses especially sexual and gender-based violence, and refugee populations.

3. Democratic Governance

a. To give effect and meaning to the new constitutional dispensation, legal and institutional reforms need to be undertaken in order to align the new constitution with the strategic priorities of the Government towards post conflict reconstruction and development. These priorities include: peace, reconciliation and security; renewal of the social compact between the state and the population; and economic recovery and boosting productive sectors.

b. Most of the institutions that safeguard democratic governance and provide public service delivery in CAR especially security, public service, local governance, judicial, penal, health, and accountability are severely incapacitated. Access to these facilities 4

and services by the citizens is severely hamstrung by lack of infrastructure such as roads, electricity and the fact that there is an absence of state authorities to guarantee security.

c. Human rights violations and related atrocities especially sexual and gender based violence in CAR is prevalent mostly by armed groups and criminal gangs and also includes serious allegations of sexual violence abuses by state security agents, French Sangaris and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) .

d. The National Assembly has in the past not played its important role of oversight to Executive excesses. The new Constitution expressly requires Parliament to diligently exercise its oversight role on the principle of separation of powers including in awarding contracts signed by the President and Prime Minister on the country’s natural resources. High levels of illiteracy in the country also means that several Members of Parliament do not have basic education and lack the capacity to pass laws and play their oversight functions.

e. The humanitarian situation in CAR remains dire. Over 2 million of the 4.6 million Central Africans are dependent on humanitarian assistance within and outside the country’s borders. There are over 400,000 internally displaced persons in CAR and over 460,000 refugees in the neighbouring countries.

4. Socio-economic Development

a. Despite its rich natural resources, the country’s population is one of the poorest in the world. In 2015 the country’s fiscal annual revenue was estimated at a paltry 100.6 million US Dollars with primary expenditures of about 181 Million US Dollars marking a deficit of over 80 million US Dollars. The country is over dependent on donor aid to finance its fiscal deficit including recurrent, capital and development expenditures.

b. Access to basic socio-economic services is severely constrained by lack of financial and human resources as well the capacity of the state to deliver services.

c. Due to lack of state authority in the entire territory as well as lack of security and capacity to effectively manage and police its borders has facilitated smuggling rackets as well as illicit financial and natural resource outflows.

d. Lack of infrastructure to facilitate access and open the hinterland through roads and energy has exacerbated the security situation in CAR and continued marginalization and exclusion of rural communities from accessing basic socio-economic services.

5. Cross-cutting Issues

a. Lack of education, jobs and access to opportunities for productive engagement leaves most youth vulnerable and easy prey for recruitment by armed and criminal groups.

b. Women in CAR bore the brunt of the conflict as victims and survivors but largely remain inadequately represented in the country’s reconstruction processes. The country does not have affirmative action mechanisms and measures to redress pervasive gender inequality. Of particular concern is the fact that women have largely been left out of

peace processes including mediation, political negotiations and DDRR as well as SSR processes.

6. Key recommendations to the African Union

a. Convene an African solidarity conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before the Brussels conference of November 2016 to mobilize bilateral support from Member States and African private sector towards CAR’s PCRD efforts including identifying strategic pilot initiatives on infrastructure development, and coordinate sharing of expertise and technical advice.

b. Support and lead international efforts aimed at easing sanctions on CAR, including through the resumption of the Kimberly Process on export of diamonds, and the partial lifting of the UN arms embargo to facilitate the reconstituting of Central African Military Force (FACA), gendarmerie and police forces and supporting comprehensive, nationally owned, inclusive and participatory DDRR and SSR and, where necessary, mobilize AU Member States working through the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee to provide training equipment, weapons, expertise and advisers.

c. Facilitate dialogue with neighbouring countries to enhance regional peace and security in order to reduce and eliminate external security threats to CAR. In particular, strengthen the AU Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the LRA (RCI- LRA) by strengthening its secretariat and broadening its mandate, capacity of the RTF and cooperation with MINUSCA to include inter-mission support on all armed groups, operating in its area of responsibility.

d. Review the current AU Liaison offices in Central Africa (Chad, CAR, DRC, and Burundi) with a view to foster better cooperation, coordination and, if need be, consolidation, capacity enhancement to improve efficiency, impact and effectiveness in light of the prevailing resource constraints.

e. Provide technical, resource and experts support to CAR through MISAC in the establishment of transitional justice processes and mechanisms including the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission; Truth, Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation Commission; and a Special Criminal Court.

f. Identify and develop a pilot project in CAR on harnessing the demographic dividend in line with the AU theme for 2017 which could include vocational training, youth in democracy and peace-building, education and labour intensive employment opportunities for youth especially in the rural areas.

g. Identify and implement, through the Inter-Departmental Task Force on Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development of the AUC Quick Impact and peace strengthening projects on various thematic areas of competence in alignment with CAR’s identified priorities and needs in collaboration with the AU Special Representative to CAR.

h. Develop, in collaboration and partnership with ECCAS through the office of the AU Special Representation in CAR a strategy for follow up, implementation, monitoring and reporting to the AU, PSC on the status of implementation, gaps and opportunities on PCRD in CAR.

7. Recommendations to Government of CAR

a. Ensure complementarity, synergy and coordination of SSR and DDRR, with an emphasis on national ownership, inclusion and participation of all stakeholders’ including non-combatants especially youth and women.

b. Enhance cooperation, collaboration and good relations with neighbouring countries to achieve regional peace and security and reduce the threat of foreign armed groups’ infiltration. In rebuilding its military capabilities strengthen its ability to focus on securing the country’s borders and contribute to regional peace and security.

c. Consider, in collaboration with the AUC, adopting a regional security information sharing mechanism for the Central African region, similar to the Nouakchott and Djibouti Processes for the Sahel and East Africa regions respectively, to better coordinate efforts for combating the threat of violent extremism and other organized transnational crimes in the country and its neighbours.

d. Implement the new Constitution, and undertake legal and institutional reforms that are necessary for achieving post-conflict reconstruction and development. In so doing, adhere to the principle of separation of powers among the three arms of Government: Executive; Legislature and Judiciary, in order to ensure appropriate oversight, accountability and effective realization of the aspirations of the people of Central Africa. To address pervasive impunity and achieve national unity and reconciliation, implement the recommendations of the Bangui National Forum on Reconciliation and in particular, establish a National Human Rights Commission; a Truth, Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation Commission; and a Special Criminal Court.

e. Ensure prompt and appropriate accountability for crimes and allegations of human rights violations especially sexual and gender based violence and atrocities by peace keepers.

f. Foster state-civic relations through among others devolving state authority to local government; civic education; facilitating platforms for regular engagement and feedback from citizens on socio-economic service delivery; community policing; and involvement of the military in community and infrastructure development.

g. Diversify the country’s economic base to ensure sustainable revenue generation in all sectors including agriculture, mining, industrialization and entrepreneurship. To achieve this, ensure fiscal discipline, fight against corruption, improve ease of doing business through private sector incentives, enhance accountability, devolve revenue and tax collection to local authorities, strengthen the capacity of customs service, and seal loopholes that facilitate smuggling and illicit natural resource and financial flows.

8. Recommendations to the Regional Economic Communities

a. The AU in collaboration with RECs (COMESA and ECCAS) should plan and extend the current pilot cross Border cooperation program funded by the KFW Development Bank, to CAR in order to improve humanitarian access, cross-border security, cross- border trade, as well as communication and cooperation between CAR and its neighbours.

b. CEMAC and ECCAS in collaboration with IMF should consider introducing a mechanism of compensating the loss of revenues on import taxes due to its regional integration obligations through improved indirect taxation administration or any other facility for at least the stabilization period of CAR.

9. Recommendations to the AU Member States

a. Enhance regional cross-border security through bilateral agreements on security and intelligence cooperation including management of customs, border security and strengthening of diplomatic relations with CAR.

b. Offer and facilitate lessons learnt capacity training and exchanges to CAR on post- conflict reconstruction efforts and initiatives.

c. Second experts and provide technical and financial resources in key areas of priority for CAR’s reconstruction that lack such capacity especially on SSR and DDRR , democratic governance including local governance, public service, judiciary, trade and infrastructure development.

10. Recommendations to the Private Sector

b. While investing in CAR ensure projects include capacity building of Central Africans in order to ensure sustainable and viable human resource capacity of CAR.

c. Develop appropriate corporate social responsibility programmes that includes rehabilitation of facilities and infrastructure especially roads, bridges, education, health water and sanitation.

11. Recommendations to the International Community

a. Continue to act as guarantors of the fragile peace and security through MINUSCA and in concert with national authorities develop a sustainable peace and security strategy to ensure that the Government takes over as soon as possible its security and protection obligations.

b. Continue to support the post conflict reconstruction and development of CAR through availing adequate financial, technical and human resources including through the upcoming donors and investors conference in Brussels on 17 November 2016 and fast track disbursement of financial support to avoid late delivery of the peace dividend.

Introduction

1. The African Union (AU)’s authoritative policy framework on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development endorsed in Banjul in 2006 by its Executive Council requested the Commission, in collaboration with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), relevant UN agencies and other institutions and African Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), to take all necessary steps towards its effective implementation. The PCRD Policy outlines six indicative elements along which PCRD activities should be implemented in Member States emerging from conflict, namely: (a) security (b) humanitarian/emergency assistance (c) political governance and transition (d) socio-economic reconstruction and development (e) human rights, justice and reconciliation, and (f) women and gender. This approach requires the Commission to work internally in a collaborative manner to implement programmes in consolidating PCRD interventions in post-conflict and conflict-prone Member States.

2. In line with its mandate to promote and sustain peace, the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) at its 593rd Meeting held on 26 April 2016, requested the African Union Commission (AUC) to ensure that it addresses post-conflict reconstruction and development in a holistic manner in order to achieve sustainable solutions to challenges faced by post-conflict communities. Following the establishment of a new government in CAR in March 2016, the AU PSC called on all stakeholders to support CAR towards post-conflict reconstruction and development. Pursuant to a resolution of the AU PSC during its 612th Meeting held on 26 July 2016, a team of experts conducted a needs assessment on PCRD in CAR from 7-17 August 2016.

3. The main objectives of the PCRD Needs Assessment in CAR were to:

a. Assess, in collaboration with the national Government, regional and international partners, the status and priority needs for the reconstruction of the country; b. Develop a comprehensive strategy and action plan, ensuring complementarity of international and regional efforts for reconstruction, and avoiding duplication of those efforts; c. Identify challenges, capacities, resources and opportunities for PCRD of the country; d. Undertake a stakeholders mapping and identify potential roles and contributions of the various stakeholders.

4. The findings and recommendations of the PCRD Needs Assessment will, among others, be useful in providing the AU with an updated status of the situation on the ground in CAR and the possible opportunities, priorities and avenues for supporting the country towards reconstruction and development. As the country prepares for an international donors and investors conference in Brussels on 17 November 2016, the AU is prime positioned to deploy its political leverage to mobilize its Member States to support CAR in the spirit of African solidarity by providing financial, technical, capacity and resources contribution.

Composition of the Team

5. The Mission was led by Ambassador Salvator Matata, the Common Market for Eastern & Southern Africa (COMESA) Head of Liaison Office to the AU. Other members of the assessment team included:

a. Yao Konan Pascal, Regional Desk Officer, Peace and Security Department; 9

b. Sandra Adong Oder, Senior Policy Officer, PCRD, Peace and Security Department; c. Cheikh F. Mady Dembele, Senior Officer on Conflict Management & Strategic Planning, Peace and Security Department; d. Norman Mlambo, Expert - Common African Defence and Security Policy, Peace and Security Department; e. Mike Bugason, Advisor to AU Special Envoy for LRA Issues, Peace and Security Department; f. George Mukundi Wachira, Head, African Governance Architecture (AGA) Secretariat, Political Affairs Department.

6. The mission was supported by the AU Mission in the Central African Republic and Central Africa (MISAC) headed by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission (SRCC) to CAR, and Head of MISAC, Professor Mohammed El Hacen Lebatt. Technical support was also provided by Mr. Adelin Hatungimana of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD).

Assessment Methodology

7. The assessment adopted three distinct but interrelated assessment methodologies as follows:

a. Desk top literature review and analysis of previous assessments with a view to identifying, challenges, opportunities and status of implementation of recommendations. b. Engagement and consultations with various stakeholders, as identified in the next section, to assess the current status, gaps, existing capacities, priorities and opportunities for PCRD. These were structured either as bilateral consultations or, where necessary, focus group discussions. c. Systematic observation on the ground of the current situation and needs in CAR through interaction with citizens, media, government officials, civil society and residents.

Limitations and Scope

8. In light of limited time and resources available to conduct a comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment, the scope and focus of the assessment were limited to four core areas identified as priority PCRD issues in previous assessments. These are:

a. Security which entails Security Sector Reforms (SSR); as well as Disarmament Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR); b. Democratic Governance which includes public sector and local administration; democratic institution building and legal reforms; human rights and transitional justice; and humanitarian assistance; c. Socio-economic Development which looks at reconstruction and rebuilding a sustainable economy; infrastructure; management of natural resources; and jobs creation; and d. Cross-cutting Issues will examine gender empowerment and effective management of the youth demographic.

9. The overriding principle of engagement and consultation with various stakeholders during the assessment was to ensure local ownership, inclusion and effective participation of the 10

beneficiaries of PCRD initiative’s in CAR - citizens. At the heart of the assessment, thus, was a conscious effort to interact and consult with ordinary CAR citizens, civil society, media, academics, religious groups, trade unions, private sector, political parties, and government officials.

Stakeholders Engaged

10. While not exhaustive, the assessment targeted consultations with the following category of stakeholders (See Annexures 1 the detailed list and contacts of the various stakeholders engaged):

a. Government Officials: Executive, Legislative (National Assembly), and Judiciary; b. Civil Society c. Youth Representatives and Organizations d. Women Representatives and Organizations e. Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission to CAR f. Representatives of AU Member States in CAR g. Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) h. United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) i. International Partners: UN Development Programme (UNDP); World Bank; African Development Bank (AfDB); European Union (EU); France. j. International Peace Support Missions: MINUSCA Sector East, AU Regional Task Force (RTF) and US Special Forces with the participation of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). k. Association of LRA Victims in Haute Kotto Prefecture l. Counter-LRA Early Warning Networks and Civil Society Peace Committees in Haute Kotto Prefecture m. Invisible Children

Background and Context

11. Since the CAR gained independence from France in 1960, the country has alternated between relative peace and conflict. The resultant instability and poor governance had a profound impact on the country’s socioeconomic development. For nearly two decades between 1985 -2004, the country registered a very slow GDP growth rate of 2% per annum in average. In 2015 its GDP growth was estimated at 3.1% with a projected growth of 4.1% in 2016 (IMF Aide Memoire on CAR 2016).

12. The most recent crisis in CAR resulted in the overthrow of former President Francois Bozize on 24 March 2013 by the Seleka Movement whose leader, Michel Djotodia, declared himself President. The conflict subsequently took a religious tone with the emergence of a self-defence group – Anti-Balaka – which self-identified as Christian – as opposed to the Seleka Movement, whose following was largely Muslim.

13. After mediated negotiations, in February 2014, a transitional government was established in the country, with Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza as the transitional President. Following a constitutional referendum in December 2015, the transition ended after general elections

held later in December 2015 and a run-off in February 2016 that ushered in the current Government led by President Faustin-Archange Touadéra who was sworn in on 30 March 2016.

14. The World Bank Estimates (2013) that CAR has a population of 4.6 million people. The country is rich in natural resources including diamonds, gold, oil and uranium (2014 Joint AU, UN, EU and ASSN Assessment; also see map in Annexure) but the prevailing political and security instability has hampered the State’s capacity to exploit and equitably share these resources for the benefit of the country’s people.

15. In a recent official communication by the Government of CAR, dated 7 July 2016, addressed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Government recognized that it is facing considerable challenges putting the country in a fragility status characterized by decrease in GDP by 37.6% in 2013 and a slow growth of a combined rate of 5.8% in 2014 and 2015, a public debt of 48.5% of GDP in 2014, a current balance of payments deficit of 9% of GDP and decrease of 3% in 2015 of the financing of private sector as a consequence of fiscal deficit and accumulation of public arrears to private enterprises. In 2015, the State fiscal revenues were estimated at 100.6 million USD with a recurrent expenditure of 181 Million USD, marking a deficit of over 80 million USD without capital expenditure ((IMF Aide Memoire on CAR 2016).

16. The Transitional Authorities which lasted two years, from February 2014 - February 2016, among others facilitated three important processes towards the rebuilding of the country that are central to this assessment and which have largely shaped and informed the assessment findings, recommendations and opportunities for implementation. These processes are:

a. The development and adoption of a New Constitution on 30 August 2015 which was endorsed through a popular referendum on 13 and 14 December 2015. b. Convening of the Bangui National Forum from 4-11 May 2015 which resulted in the adoption of a Republican Pact for Peace, National Reconciliation and Reconstruction in the CAR, which largely provided the basis for the envisaged reforms for the reconstruction of the country including on DRR, SSR, governance and socio-economic development. c. The conduct of General Elections in December 2015 and February 2016 which ushered in the current legitimate Government led by H.E President Faustin-Archange Touadera.

17. The Bangui National Forum and the assessment missions discussions with various stakeholders reveal that the conflict in CAR can be traced to the following structural root causes and triggers:

a. Democratic governance deficit which manifests itself in the lack of state authority, legitimacy and capacity to govern and provide basic civil, political, social, economic services that are prerequisites of a government to its citizens. The lack and inadequacy of institutions of democratic governance have resulted in mismanagement of diversity; impunity; lack of accountability, corruption; weak state institutions of public service and lack of rule of law; lack of local and devolved governance institutions; human rights violations; and failure to secure durable solutions to the resultant humanitarian situation particularly relative to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees.

b. Lack of socio-economic development in terms of basic infrastructure to facilitate effective service delivery such as roads, energy, water, education, health, housing, and sanitation has compelled the citizens to fend for themselves amidst severe hardships and constraints. The mismanagement and inequitable share of natural resources as well as youth unemployment have equally caused significant disenfranchisement and agitation among the population, especially in the rural and marginalized areas. Vested regional and international interests as well as external interference over the exploitation of the country’s natural resources have also been contributing factors to the conflict in CAR.

c. Insecurity - the state’s limited capacity and inability to provide security to itself, let alone to its citizens, has left the vulnerable population under the control of militias and non-state armed groups which extort citizen’s possessions and commit abuses with impunity. The fact that the State has had limited, if any, authority beyond the urban centres particularly in Bangui has translated to proliferation of general criminality and banditry as well as the emergence of armed groups – Seleka and Anti-Balaka – including foreign fighters who easily use CAR as hideouts and a theatre for destabilizing the population, illegally exploiting and trafficking the country’s natural resources, as exemplified by the territory currently under occupation by the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) in the south-east of CAR. The mismanagement of the national security forces and police through cronyism, patronage and skewed appointments led to unprofessionalism, incapacity and indiscipline of the military and police force attendant disregard for command structures.

d. Limited inclusion and participation of women and youth in state affairs leading to gender imbalance and disenfranchisement of the youth who end up joining armed groups and other criminal networks. Despite the recent notable political progress, particularly with the appointment of the transitional president Catherine Samba and the Chair of the Electoral Commission, women and youth remain on the fringes of the country’s state affairs and reconstruction. The lack of structured, diverse and organized national and local civil society formations to address gender and youth concerns have resulted in their continued marginalization, exclusion and frustrations with attendant consequences to national cohesion, harmony and development. The lack of accountability for sexual and gender-based violence over the years has also led to a sense of impunity.

Previous Assessments’ Findings and Recommendations

18. The AU has previously conducted three joint needs assessments on CAR:

a. Report of the multidisciplinary expert mission to Central Africa Republic: 3-15 April 2006; b. Report of the Joint African Union – World Bank (TDRP) Technical Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Mission on Security Sector Reform (SSR), Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration and Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development to the Central African Republic (CAR): 02 – 11 June 2012; c. Report of the Joint (AU, UN, EU and ASSN) Security Sector Reform Assessment Mission to the Central African Republic: 18-26 May 2014.

19. Following the 2005 elections held after the 2003 coup, the AU PSC during its meeting on 24 June 2005, among other things, encouraged the AUC to send an expert mission to evaluate the security and socio-economic situation and make recommendations towards the 13

support to CAR post-conflict reconstruction by international partners. At that time, the report indicated that CAR had experienced a slow growth rate of 2% for 20 years (1985 to 2004), caused by political instability, bad governance, poor infrastructures, weak financial sector and destruction of human capital.

20. The 2012 and 2014 assessments were limited in scope, placing emphasis on security sector reforms while the current assessment seeks to examine in a holistic manner all the six constitutive elements of the AU PCRD Framework:

a. Security; b. Political governance and transition; c. Human rights, justice and reconciliation; d. Humanitarian assistance; e. Reconstruction and socio-economic development, and f. Gender.

21. The matrix in Annexure consolidates and highlights some of the key findings and recommendations of the previous needs assessments with an indication of the status of their implementation.

Findings of the Current Assessment Mission

22. The findings and recommendations of the current assessment mission are based on the PCRD Framework’s six (6) constitutive elements.

a) Security; b) Political governance and transition; c) Human rights, justice and reconciliation; d) Humanitarian assistance; e) Reconstruction and socio-economic development, and f) Gender.

23. Three of these elements: political governance and transition; human rights, justice and reconciliation; and humanitarian assistance are consolidated in the report given their overlapping and close interrelationships to constitute the democratic governance theme. Two cross-cutting issues, namely youth and women, are covered under the themes of inclusion, participation and empowerment. However given that women are key actors in post-conflict reconstruction and development, where applicable, recommendations have been made in the other clusters. Economic governance is addressed as part of the socio- economic development cluster. 24. It is instructive to note that the Bangui National Forum of May 2015 and the President’s Inaugural Speech on 30 March 2016 largely set the tone and highlights for CAR’s national priorities for security, reconciliation, as well as reconstruction and development. This report aligns its findings and recommendations to the issues highlighted by these national priorities as well as the elaboration that was provided by national authorities and other relevant stakeholders that were consulted during the PCRD needs assessment in CAR.

25. The following are the key positive trends and developments that were noted by the assessment mission which offer hope, promise and opportunity for the reconstruction of CAR. These trends reaffirm the imperative of concerted efforts by all stakeholders to support the country in its PCRD efforts: a. The priorities identified by the Government - as highlighted in the Presidents inauguration Speech of March 2016 and presented to Parliament by the Prime Minister - towards reconstruction are in alignment with the citizens’ aspirations and needs which were consolidated through a participatory and inclusive nationally owned, led and driven process – the Bangui National Forum. The Government priorities are structured along three pillars: i) peace, reconciliation and security; ii) renewal of the social contract between the state and the population; and iii) economic recovery as well as boosting productive sectors.

b. The Government is committed and ready to undertake necessary structural reforms in the areas of public finance, accounting, financial sector, mining industry, and fostering an enabling environment to attract investors under the IMF Extended Facility.

c. The President, and indeed the entire Government, is open to dialogue and has demonstrated significant good will to engage with all stakeholders including armed groups.

d. The international community is keen and willing to support the PCRD efforts of CAR, amongst others, through the upcoming donors and investors’ conference in Brussels on 17 November 2016.

26. Despite the above-mentioned positive trends, challenges and gaps remain towards the reconstruction of CAR. The next section of this report highlights some of these challenges and, importantly, identifies opportunities for the implementation of recommendations to redress the gaps. It is important to note that the issues are interlinked and interrelated given the close convergence and nexus between security, development and governance. In fact, the triple objectives of peace, governance and development are mutually desirable and interwoven imperatives such that the absence of one is bound to lead to the loss of the other two. The report examines these issues from the lens of stabilization efforts, transformation and institutional building, and consolidation. However, given the limited time and scope of the assessment, the focus of the report’s findings and recommendations are on stabilization efforts as well as transformation and institutional building.

Challenges and Opportunities

27. Security

a. There is a marked improvement in the security situation in CAR, especially in Bangui, following the successful holding of the constitutional referendum on 13 December 2015 and general elections in December 2015, February and March 2016 that ushered in a legitimate government. However, the security situation remains fragile with prevalence of human rights abuses, incidences of outbreak of violence, tension, and criminality throughout the country. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of state authority in 15

most parts of the country, which consequently translates to general civilian population’s apathy, frustration and emergence of armed militia groups, banditry and criminality as a way and means of survival.

b. The CAR Military, Gendarmerie and Police forces are largely incapacitated due to desertions, indiscipline as well as lack of equipment, uniforms, weapons and appropriate command structures, severely limiting their ability to provide security and defend the national territory. While efforts are underway to undertake nationally owned, driven and informed security sector reforms as well as DDRR programmes, the existing UN Security Council sanctions and arms embargo on the country, have severely hampered the ability of CAR’s security forces to provide security, leaving MINUSCA to fill the gap, albeit with a mandate limited to the protection of civilians and government’s strategic infrastructure and officials.

c. Armed groups, particularly the ex-Seleka and Anti-Balaka continue to control large territories of the country including areas rich in natural resources, levying illegal taxes, causing intimidation and committing serious human rights violations and atrocities to civilian populations. These groups and many individual civilians illegally possess small and light weapons and ammunitions, which they use for the abovementioned criminal activities against the vulnerable civilians. The general inaccessibility of remote parts of the country, due to lack of state authority, and underdevelopment including the lack of infrastructure such as roads, contributes to the inability of the state or security actors to retake control of these territories and offer protection.

d. The LRA remains a significant threat to peace, security and stability in the South Eastern part of the country, notably in the Prefectures of Haute-Kotto, Haut Mbomou, and Mbomou which are rich in mineral resources. Other foreign armed groups, including the Janjaweed from Sudan and the nomadic Mbororo, also operate and commit crimes in CAR with impunity, destabilizing not only CAR but also threatening cross-border and regional peace and security. The result has been internal displacement of civilian populations, recruitment of child soldiers, abduction of women, pillaging, looting, destruction of property, human rights violations, atrocities and abuses especially sexual and gender based violence and refugee populations. It is estimated that there are about 421, 283 IDPs in CAR and 460,000 Refugees from CAR in the neighbouring countries (UNSG Report to UNSC, April 2016).

28. Democratic Governance

a. The adoption of a new Constitution through a popular national referendum that was passed with 93% of the votes cast in December 2015 marks a significant milestone in enhancing the rule of law, constitutionalism and protection as well as the promotion of fundamental human and peoples’ rights in CAR. To give effect and meaning to the new constitutional dispensation, legal and institutional reforms need to be undertaken in order to align the Constitution with the strategic priorities of the Government towards

post-conflict reconstruction and development. These priorities include: peace, reconciliation and security; renewal of the social contract between the state and the population; and economic recovery and boosting the productive sectors. b. Most of the institutions that safeguard democratic governance and provide public service delivery in CAR especially security, public service, local governance, judicial, penal, health, and accountability are severely incapacitated and almost collapsed. Some civil servants salaries are in arrears, promotions and related incentives are no longer feasible and lack a pension scheme. Judicial facilities and functions have largely stalled except in Bangui and a few urban centres. The prison system is overcrowded and requires rehabilitation especially after the damage caused in one of the major prisons where nearly all the 700 inmates escaped in Ngaragba prison on 28 September 2015. Access to these facilities and services by the citizens is severely hamstrung by lack of infrastructure such as roads, electricity and the absence of state authorities to guarantee security. c. Human rights violations and related atrocities especially sexual and gender-based violence in CAR is prevalent, perpetrated mainly by armed groups and criminal gangs but also includes serious allegations of sexual violence abuses by state security agents, the French Sangaris and MINUSCA. The absence of the state across the entire territory and the lack of capacity of the security forces to provide security are largely to blame as is the culture of impunity and lack of accountability mechanisms which was eroded due to the governance deficit and long standing conflict and instability in the country. d. Impunity, corruption and accountability in CAR remain as serious threat to the security and socio-economic development of the country. Apart from the armed groups, criminals, public officials and security agents have largely been held unaccountable as the justice mechanisms are rife with corruption, abuse and in serious need of reforms that should include vetting and lustration. The Bangui National Forum on Reconciliation of May 2015, since endorsed by the President and National Assembly, recommended the establishment of a national Human Rights Commission; a Truth, Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation Commission; and a Special Criminal Court to provide redress for victims of atrocities and human rights violations during the conflict. e. The National Assembly had, in the past, not played its important role of oversight to Executive excesses. The new constitution expressly requires Parliament to diligently exercise its oversight role on the principle of separation of powers including in awarding contracts signed by the President and the Prime Minister on the country’s natural resources. Owing to the high levels of illiteracy in the country, some Members of Parliament do not have basic education and lack the capacity to pass good laws and play their oversight functions. The President of the National Assembly requested for the assistance of the AU, through the August 2016 needs assessment mission, in building the capacity of the Parliament.

f. The country conducted peaceful and credible elections in December 2015, as well as February and March 2016, with commendable financial and technical support from the AU, ECCAS and neighbouring countries-Cameroon, the Congo, DRC, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Angola, to the success of the electoral process. The conduct of the National Elections Authority is commendable and its capacity needs to be strengthened to foster public participation in electoral processes. Despite the conduct of elections, the participation of citizens, particularly women and the youth who constitute over 72% of the country’s population, in rebuilding the state needs to be fostered by improving state-civic relations and access to information as well as broadening platforms for dialogue and public engagement beyond electoral cycles. Such avenues may include adopting affirmative action to ensure inclusion and equitable representation of these demographics, devolving public services to local authorities and government, as well as strengthening civil society and community based organizations, and the media.

g. The Humanitarian situation in CAR remains dire. Over 2 million of the estimated 4.6 million Central Africans are dependent on humanitarian assistance within and outside the country’s borders. There are about 421, 283 IDPs in CAR and over 460,000 refugees in the neighbouring countries, collectively constituting about 20% of the country’s population (UNSG Report to UNSC, April 2016). While most of the recent displacements and refugees were caused by the conflict between the Seleka and Anti- Balaka since 2013, a significant number of the IDPs and refugees are as a result of foreign armed groups in CAR especially the LRA. In addition, the conflict in South Sudan has led to the influx of about 8, 000 refugees (mostly women and children) into Bambouti, in the south-eastern part of CAR. Given the difficulties in accessing some of the IDPs camps and the refugees their humanitarian situation is serious with lack of clean water, sanitation, health care, shelter and food. The general insecurity in the country is also a great cause for concern with several incidences of human rights abuses, sexual and gender based violence and criminality in the camps targeting refugees and IDPs by the armed groups. In this regard, the planned withdrawal of the Ugandan contingent from the AU RTF for the elimination of the LRA will leave the IDPs and refuges in the south-east more vulnerable to the armed groups unless MINUSCA deploys to cover all those sites.

29. Socio-economic Development

a. Some of the structural root causes of conflicts and insecurity in CAR are the inequitable distribution of natural resources and the lack of socio-economic development across the country. Despite its rich natural resources, the country’s population is one of the poorest in the world. In 2015, its fiscal annual revenue was estimated at a paltry 100.6 million US Dollars with primary expenditures of about 181 million US Dollars marking a deficit of over 80 million US Dollars. (UNSG Report to UNSC, April 2016, pg 9). Over dependent on donor aid to finance its fiscal deficit including recurrent, capital and development expenditures, the country’s revenue base and resource mobilization needs

to be broadened to cover other sectors and not over rely on import taxes. Domestic debt ballooned to unstainable levels which collapsed the domestic private sector.

b. Access to basic socio-economic services is severely constrained by lack of financial and human resources as well as the capacity of the state to deliver basic services. Access to education, health services, clean water, food, housing and sanitation are deplorable, at times compelling citizens to fend for themselves for survival including through criminality and banditry, in extreme cases, forming or joining armed groups. According to statistics provided by various stakeholders during the needs assessment mission, 80% of the country’s youth - who constitute about 72% of the entire population, are illiterate and lack basic education. In addition to the absence of the state in the hinterland, access to these basic human services is highly attributed to general insecurity and lack of infrastructure.

c. The lack of state authority in the entire territory as well as lack of security and capacity to effectively manage and police its borders has facilitated smuggling rackets as well as illicit financial and natural resource outflows. The highly centralized customs service and the prevailing insecurity in the country have left the armed groups to take charge in the countryside and levy illegal taxes, and clashes with civilians such as the recent incidents between pastoralists and armed groups in the prefectures of Bas-Kotto, Mambre-Kadei, Nana-Mambre, Ouaka and Ouham in 2016.

d. Lack of infrastructure to facilitate access and open the hinterland through roads and energy has exacerbated the security situation in CAR, along with continued marginalization and exclusion of rural communities from accessing basic socio- economic services. Without adequate infrastructure, government services cannot be effectively rolled out to the rural communities let alone stimulate economic development by facilitating access to areas that are rich in natural resources to ensure their efficient and effective exploitation and equitable distribution, create jobs and employment, facilitate service delivery, and foster commerce and economic recovery of the country. The country has power generation capacity of a meagre 40 MW but only 17 MW is currently produced, implying that power and electricity remain one of the country’s largest inhibitors to the socio-economic development and therefore an urgent priority towards reconstruction (UNDP, 2016).

30. Cross-cutting Issues

a. Lack of education, jobs and access to opportunities for productive engagement of the youth, who constitute 72% of the country’s population, has left 80% of these youth uneducated, rendering them vulnerable and easy targets for recruitment by armed and criminal groups.

b. Women in CAR bore the brunt of the conflict as victims and survivors but they largely remain inadequately represented in the country’s reconstruction processes. Indeed, while there is some progress in the representation of women in Parliament with about 19

15 out of 115 MPs and 4 out of 23 Cabinet Ministers, much more needs to be done to ensure gender equity and representation. The country does not have affirmative action mechanisms and measures to redress the pervasive gender inequality. Of particular concern is the fact that women have largely been left out of peace processes including mediation, political negotiations and DDRR as well as SSR reform processes.

c. Ensuring accountability for sexual and gender based crimes and violence by state and non-state actors is one of the top priorities of the Government. However, CAR does not have a gender legal and policy framework to address gender inequality and empowerment let alone accountability for these crimes pending the establishment of the Special Criminal Court and the Truth, Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation Commission. There is presently no state-led accountability mechanism for sexual and gender based violence against women in CAR.

Recommendations

31. Key Recommendations to the African Union

a. Convene an African solidarity conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before the Brussels Conference of November 2016 to mobilize bilateral support from Member States and African private sector towards CAR’s PCRD efforts including identifying strategic pilot initiatives on infrastructure development, and coordinate sharing of expertise and technical advisers.

b. Support and lead international efforts aimed at easing sanctions on CAR, including through the resumption of the Kimberly Process on export of diamonds, and the partial lifting of the UN arms embargo to facilitate the reconstituting of Central African Military Force, gendarmerie and police forces and supporting comprehensive, nationally owned, inclusive and participatory DDRR and SSR and, where necessary, mobilize Member States working through the UN Security Council Sanctions regime, to provide training equipment, weapons, expertise and advisers.

d. Review the Liaison offices in Central Africa (Burundi, CAR, Chad,, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)) with a view to fostering better cooperation, coordination and, if need be, consolidation, capacity enhancement to improve efficiency, impact and effectiveness in light of the prevailing resource constraints.

f. Identify and develop a pilot project in CAR on harnessing the demographic dividend in line with the AU theme for 2017 which could include vocational training, youth in democracy and peacebuilding, education and labour intensive employment opportunities for youth especially in the rural areas.

g. Identify and implement, through the AUC’s Inter-Departmental Task Force on Post- conflict Reconstruction and Development quick impact and peace strengthening projects on various thematic areas of competence in alignment with CAR’s identified priorities and needs in collaboration with the AU SRCC to CAR.

h. Develop, in collaboration and partnership with ECCAS through the office of the AU Special Representation in CAR, a strategy for follow up, implementation, monitoring and reporting to the AU, PSC on the status of implementation, gaps and opportunities on PCRD in CAR.

32. Recommendations to Government of Central African Republic

b. Enhance cooperation, collaboration and good relations with neighbouring countries to achieve regional peace and security and reduce the threat of foreign armed groups’ infiltration. In rebuilding its military capabilities, strengthen its ability to focus on securing the country’s borders and contribute to regional peace and security.

d. Implement the new Constitution, and undertake legal and institutional reforms that are necessary in achieving post-conflict reconstruction and development. In so doing, adhere to the principle of separation of powers among the three arms of Government: Executive; Legislature and Judiciary, in order to ensure appropriate oversight, accountability and effective realization of the aspirations of the people of Central Africa. To address pervasive impunity and achieve national unity and reconciliation, implement the recommendations of the Bangui National Forum on Reconciliation and in particular, establish a National Human Rights Commission; a Truth, Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation Commission; and a Special Criminal Court.

e. Bring to justice all perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, irrespective of their status or political affiliation.

f. Take measures to prevent gender based violence and especially sexual violence on the part of all belligerents, and ensure protection of women, especially women.

g. Foster state-civic relations through among others devolving state authority to local government; civic education; facilitating platforms for regular engagement and

feedback from citizens on socio-economic service delivery; community policing; and involvement of the military in community and infrastructure development.

h. Diversify the country’s economic base to ensure sustainable revenue generation in all sectors including agriculture, mining, industrialization and entrepreneurship.

i. Ensure fiscal discipline, fight against corruption, improve ease of doing business through private sector incentives, enhance accountability, devolve revenue and tax collection to local authorities, strengthen the capacity of customs service, and seal loopholes that facilitate smuggling and illicit natural resource and financial flows.

j. Working with partners, following the commitment by armed militias to release all children associated with them, ensure that children who are released and separated from armed groups and militias receive special protection.

k. Continue efforts towards reopening schools and rehabilitating hospitals and health centres, and protect them from use for military purposes.

l. Adopt a strategy to recruit and encourage the Diaspora to actively participate and engage in the country’s PCRD efforts and where possible provide incentives to return to support the country’s post conflict reconstruction and development.

33. Recommendations to the Regional Economic Communities

a. The AU in collaboration with RECs (COMESA and ECCAS) should plan and extend the current pilot cross Border cooperation programme funded by the German Development Bank(KfW, abbreviation in German), to CAR in order to improve humanitarian access, cross-border security, cross-border trade, as well as communication and cooperation between CAR and its neighbours.

b. CEMAC and ECCAS in collaboration with IMF should consider introducing a mechanism of compensating the loss of revenues on imports taxes due to its regional integration obligations through improved indirect taxation administration or any other facility for at least during the stabilization period of CAR.

34. Recommendations to the AU Member States

b. Offer and facilitate lessons learnt capacity training and exchanges to CAR on post- conflict reconstruction efforts and initiatives.

a. Second experts and provide technical and financial resources in key areas of priority for CAR’s reconstruction that lack such capacity especially on SSR and DDRR, democratic governance including local governance, public service, judiciary, trade and infrastructure development.

35. Recommendations to the Private Sector

a. Enhance support to CAR through mobilization of private human and financial resources towards the reconstruction of CAR especially in infrastructural development in the communications, energy, transport sectors, and natural resources exploitation. b. While investing in CAR, ensure projects include capacity building of Central Africans in order to ensure sustainable and viable human resource capacity of CAR.

c. Develop appropriate corporate social responsibility programmes that includes rehabilitation of facilities and infrastructure especially roads, bridges, education, health water and sanitation.

36. Recommendations to the International Community

b. Continue to support the post-conflict reconstruction and development of CAR through availing adequate financial, technical and human resources including through the upcoming donors and investors conference in Brussels on 17 November 2016 and fast track disbursement of financial support to avoid late delivery of the peace dividend.

c. Ensure prompt and appropriate accountability for crimes and allegations of human rights violations especially sexual and gender based violence and atrocities by peacekeepers.

Concluding Observations

37. The AU PCRD assessment mission provided an opportunity to reflect on the nature, extent and scope of support needed to sustain peace in CAR. It noted recent positive trends and developments which offer hope, promise and opportunity for the reconstruction of CAR. The following trends reaffirm the imperative of concerted efforts by all stakeholders: AU Member States, African citizens, civil society, private sector and the international community, to support the country in its PCRD efforts:

a. Priorities identified by the Government - as highlighted by the President in his inauguration speech of March 2016 and presented to Parliament by the Prime Minister towards reconstruction, are in alignment with the citizens’ aspirations and needs.

b. The CAR Government is committed and ready to undertake the necessary structural reforms in the areas of public finance, accounting, financial sector, mining industry, enabling environment to attract investors under the IMF Extended Facility.

c. The CAR President, and indeed the entire Government, is open to dialogue and has demonstrated significant good will to engage with all stakeholders including armed groups.

d. The international community is keen and willing to support the PCRD efforts of CAR, amongst others, through the upcoming donors and investors’ conference in Brussels on 17 November 2016.

38. Successive humanitarian interventions in the CAR have failed to propel the country towards a better future. Crisis after crisis, short-term investments have not been reinforced by the long-term investments needed to address the root causes of violence, including socio-economic and political inequalities between communities, corruption and lack of rule of law1.

39. Implementation of the recommendations of the assessment mission require concerted efforts and effective coordination of all stakeholders, in the spirit of African solidarity. The AU should continue to play an active oversight and support role to the Government of CAR to address the immediate and longer-term development needs.

1 Terrenoire, Jacques and Rose, Madeleine, ‘Africa in Focus - Foresight Africa 2015: Sustaining Investment in the Central African Republic Will Test Global Commitments to Extreme Poverty, 21 January 2015, https://www.brookings.edu, sustaining-investment-in-the-central-african-republic-will-test-global-commitments- to-end-extreme-poverty(Accessed 21 August 2016)

Annexure 1: Findings and Recommendations of Previous Needs Assessments in CAR

Finding Recommendation Status of Implementation ( 2016 Assessment Mission Findings) Governance 1. Governance in CAR is  Enhance separation of  A New Constitution that highly centralized and powers among the three clearly spells out revolves around the branches of governance: separation of powers Presidency (2014) Executive; Legislature and was approved by the Judiciary Transitional Council Authority on 30 August 2015 and endorsed and adopted through a National Referendum in December 2015  Some of the relevant key provisions in the new Constitution include: o Creation of the Senate o Establishment of a National Election Authority o Establishment of a Body dedicated to good human rights and governance o Requirement that decisions by the President and Prime Minister must be approved by Cabinet o Requirement that the National Assembly must be informed when Government signs contracts on Natural resources

2. Legal and judicial  Devolve and enhance  Comprehensive justice services are mostly human, financial, technical reforms including available in Bangui and and infrastructure capacity judicial as well devolved with severe human, of judicial institutions justice to the Prefectures financial and resource beyond Bangui to all parts is part of the inadequacies with of the country recommendations of

attendant corruption and  Reinstall customary justice Bangui National Forum impunity (2014) institutions in adherence to that was held from 4-11 international human rights May 2016 standards  Undertake judicial reforms including where necessary purging, vetting and lustration of judicial officials 3. The penal institutions  Undertake penal reforms  The situation is still dire are overcrowded, below and enhance the capacity and obtains and its international standards and resources of the penal reforms are part of the and corrupt (2014) institutions recommendations of the Bangui National Forum 4. Lack of organized,  Enhance state society  An NGO Network for centralized and effective relations through dialogue, the Defence of Human national civil society inclusion, participation, Rights that includes 10 formations to effect constructive engagement NGOs - Réseau des social, security and and recognition of ONGs de Promotion et democratic change organized civil society by de Défense des Droits de (2014) the State in PCRD l'Homme (RONGDH) initiatives indicated a preference for a horizontal structure rather than a vertical organized CSO formation on the principles of equity and egalitarianism.  CSOs beyond Bangui lack human, financial and infrastructure capacity and resources to coordinate mobilize, engage and implement initiatives  The CSOs were involved and participated in the Bangui National Forum and agree with its recommendations as a feasible road map and point of departure on requisite reforms 5. Impunity and lack of  Adopt transitional justice,  The Bangui National accountability hampers reconciliation and Forum identified and peace, reconciliation, reparations recommended among harmony and state others: capacity to deliver o Establishment of a development (2014) National Truth,

Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation Commission o Establishment of Special Court to try international crimes committed during the conflict o Efforts and processes to establish these mechanisms are presently hampered by lack of capacity and resources to do so

Development 1. The private sector is  Reform the financial sector  The situation has not largely underdeveloped in order to increase funding changed and in fact, to private sector there is accumulation of  Promote microfinance to public sector debt to finance agriculture commercial banks leaving a limited share available to financing of the private sector 2. The country’s revenue  Reduce the fiscal  Fiscal revenues can and tax base is too dependency on import cover only 75% of dependent on import taxes ( 40% of the total) public servants salaries taxes  Widen the indirect taxation base 3. Natural resources  Ensure sustainable  Some of mineral areas exploitation is not exploitation of natural are still controlled by optimal or sustainable resources armed groups which led  Exploit more minerals to the withdrawal of the apart from diamond and certification of diamond gold exports as envisaged by the Kimberly Process in 2013

Security

1. SSR needs to be  Implement the three SSR  Comprehensive SSR and coordinated along 8 priorities proposed by the DDRR programmes are thematic issues: Transitional Authorities part of the key priorities National Defence; Decrees (N°22 and N°23) of the CAR Government Internal Security; signed in October 2013 as recommended by the Judiciary Bangui National Forum Administration; of May 2015 and

Territorial articulated by President Administration; Faustin-Archange Finances/Custom; Touadera in his Democratic Control; inauguration Speech on Intelligence and DDRR 30 March 2016 (2014)

2. Strategic and Technical  Review and assess,  The mission repeatedly Committees on SSR together with national and heard from all were established to international actors, the stakeholders especially create a link between effectiveness of the the CAR National Youth SSR and DDRR (2014) Strategic and Technical Council, that SSR and Committees on SSR in DDRR have to go hand order to decide whether to in hand and in keep them in their current complementarity designed format, re-adapt  Importantly, DDRR them to new must be broadened in circumstances, or create terms of the scope and new sustainable reach to foster national mechanisms. and local ownership, advocacy, inclusion and participation of all citizens which must go beyond ex-combatants - to also target youth and women who did not take up arms as an incentive not to get tempted to imagine that DDRR only benefits those who takes arms  It is imperative to conduct a critical assessment and evaluation of why despite three past DDRR efforts in CAR they were largely unsuccessful in order to tease out lessons learned and ensure that the proposed DDRR programme has positive impact and results 3. Law enforcement  Undertake rebuilding,  Part of proposed SSR agencies are in dire need reconstruction and reform reforms by the Bangui of a reform of their of the police forces National Forum May

structure, procedures,  Establish and sustain 2015; the President’s image and relations with internal systems and March 2016 the population before procedures for the Inauguration Speech they can become a well- accountable and and from all functioning service transparent management stakeholders engaged (2014) and administration of the during the assessment police services mission ( August 2016)  Improve police and gendarmerie operational capacities including regarding the new recruitment process to increase the number of law enforcement personnel in relation to the population  Review the legal framework, and undertake specialized training to achieve their interoperability in spite of their different command structures etc.  Rebuild clear and systematic links and synergies between law enforcement personnel and the penal chain 4. With the arms embargo  Finalize, with support of  CAR still needs to make FACA has limited partners, the registration of notable progress with capacity to provide the CAR defense force in the envisaged SSR defence and security of order to build a reliable, reforms before the the country (2014) sustainable and lifting of the arms manageable database for embargo the retirement, vetting and  In the meantime, the restructuring of the army country can still utilize  Reconstitute a balanced the UNSC sanctions geographical/ethnic/gender regime to request for representative national some of the available defence force exemptions that are  Provide appropriate and aimed at enhancing adequate equipment, capacity of the FACA capacity and infrastructure through training and for the reconstituted SSR reforms military forces  The AU is a critical actor  Reinforce, in addition to in lobbying bilateral internal disciplinary support from its Member measures, the reactivated States to CAR efforts in Military Court reconstituting FACA

 Conduct CIMIC activities and undertaking SSR (building schools and reforms and where roads, rehabilitation of necessary in providing sites for IDPs) to restore training expertise and trust with the population advisers  Undertake adequate  The AU should also training on humanitarian support CAR through its law, child protection and political leverage and gender convening power by  Develop and adopt a draft facilitating dialogue White Paper on Defence with neighbouring countries with regard to enhancing regional peace and security in order to reduce and eliminate external security threats 5. The forest guards no  Reconstitute and enhance  Constitutes part of the longer have capacity to capacity of the forest envisaged SSR reforms protect the country’s guards and capacity wildlife and rich forests  Reinforce state capacity to enhancement (2014) raise revenues through an efficient system for collecting import and export duties  Redeploy Custom Officers throughout the country and ensure security of their work stations  Equip Custom Officers with basic arms and ammunitions, communication facilities and logistics  Finalize and adopt the new atlas of conflict as a tool for management of the country’s rich natural resources  Adopt a new Wildlife Code as well as statute for Forest Guards  Strengthen security within protected areas and remove all illegal roadblocks.

6. Customs service lacks  Provide technical support The situation still obtains capacity to collect and enhance the capacity of with estimated fiscal revenue, protect and Customs services revenue figures in 2015 at secure the country’s 100.6 Million USD and borders (2014) expenditure of 181Million USD marking a deficit of over 80 Million USD (UNSG Report to UNSC, April 2016) 7. DDRR and SSR have  Systematically link and  Part of the proposed not been systematically plan for DDRR and SSR to reforms from the May linked (2014) ensure proper 2015 Bangui National disarmament, Forum and the demobilization and Presidents March 2016 reintegration of former Inaugural Speech combatants into society recommendations and security services where appropriate 8. Private security  Adopt a clear legal  This should form part of companies are largely framework for the the envisaged SSR unregulated (2014) regulation of private reforms security companies in CAR Cross-cutting Issues – Gender and Youth

1. Women are the highest  Address and ensure  Despite some notable victims of sexual and accountability for sexual progress after the last gender based violence and gender based violence general elections in (2014) by security forces December 2015-, women continue to be marginalized and in the periphery of state rebuilding: there are 4 women out of 23 Ministers and about 15 out of 115 Members of Parliament.  There is still no accountability in place for Sexual and Gender- based Violence (SGBV) crimes in CAR and it is hoped that this will constitute the ongoing reforms

2. There is no formal  Develop a gender policy on gender related policy on SGBV and accountability addressing sexual and mechanism for SGBV

gender based violence in  Streamline gender-based conflict (2014) approaches for the With significant interest restructuring of security from international actors institutions such as UN Women are underway to support the country to adopt gender sensitive and empowerment policies and laws including accountability mechanisms for SGBV

Annexure 2: Specific Findings and Recommendations Matrix

Findings Recommendations Socio Economic Development

1. Revenue Collection and Expenditure:  Broaden CAR’s economic revenue base beyond its a. CAR’s revenue base is traditional revenue generation sources in order to reduce limited with an overreliance on aid and external fiscal support which could overreliance on aid and include fostering public/private sector investments in external fiscal support to finance even recurrent manufacturing, innovation and technology, agriculture, expenditure production and service sector.

 Any macro-economic strategy for revenue collection and expenditure should makes direct links between gender equality, good governance, economic growth and social development, and establish performance indicators for education, health, political participation and economic empowerment. Within the new political dispensation in CAR and within the framework of AU PCRD Policy implementation, substantial resources to promote gender equality will fund priorities such as programmes to stop gender-based violence and help implement the national equality strategy.   Invest in systems to track gender post-conflict financing, and work toward a goal of ensuring that all financing in support of peacebuilding in CAR is dedicated to projects whose principal objective is to address women’s specific needs, advance gender equality or empower women.  Lobby and reengage with the Kimberly Process for removal of the sanctions imposed on diamonds exports from CAR

 Strengthen and enhance the capacity of the Revenue and Customs Office to be more effective and seal revenue losses loopholes particularly with multi-national corporations in the natural resources sector  Devolve tax collection to local authorities b. The country lacks  Support and enhance the technical and resources capacity reliable statistics and data of the National Planning and Statistics Office to obtain up on its population, to date data and statistics on social, political and macro and capacities and micro economic development of CAR opportunities  Undertake a national census to obtain up to date data and statistics on the population, demographic diversity, national capacities as well as gaps and opportunities c. Despite its rich natural  Adopt legal, policy and institutional framework to ensure resources, domestic coordinated and equitable management and share of natural resource mobilization is resources as well as accountability and beneficiation poor, uncoordinated and  Review and revisit existing contracts on exploitation of marked by lack of natural resources to ensure they are in alignment with the accountability and country’s priorities needs and PCRD efforts corruption  Undertake a cost benefit analysis as well as a return on investment projections of projects to be presented at the Brussels donors and investors conference on 17 November 2016 including absorption capacities d. CAR has limited human  Support and enhance CAR’s human, technical and resource capacity in financial and capacity in financial and fiscal planning, budgeting and fiscal planning, accounting for resources and expenditure and improve budgeting and public finance management by introducing and accounting for resources implementing an Integrated Finance Information and expenditure. Management Systems (IFIMS) and helping to build their requisite capacity by training professional staff who can adhere to ethical standards.

 Institutionalize women’s participation in and apply gender analysis to all post-conflict planning processes so that women and girl’s specific needs and gender discrimination is addressed at every stage

 Undertake a cost benefit analysis as well as a return on investment projections of projects to be presented at the Brussels donors and investors conference on 17 November 2016 including absorption capacities. There are opportunities for advancing gender equality, particularly in the areas of education, health, access to quality basic services. Aside from the financial budgets being proposed

for the Brussels Conference, a separate Women’s Budget needs to be developed

2. Management and  CAR should enhance and restore the sovereignty of the Equitable Share of Natural state on management and exploitation of natural resources Resources: a. CAR’s management of natural resources is  Adopt legal, policy and institutional framework to ensure wanting with inadequate coordinated and equitable management and share of natural legal, policy and resources as well as accountability and beneficiation. institutional oversight  Strengthen the Parliament including through capacity and regulation of actors. building, in legislative drafting in order to enact enabling It also lacks legislation to implement the Constitution and exercise of accountability oversight over other institutions and arms of government

 Set up robust watch-dog institutions and anti-corruption mechanisms in order to check the high-level corruption.

 Enhance transparency in natural resource revenues, including through open public contracting, and implement budget and fiscal transparency measures by implementing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative b. Revenue that is collected  Adopt a national formula and strategy and implementation from exploitation of mechanism on equitable share of the benefits of natural natural resources does resources through comparable lessons share and not equitably benefit all experiences of other AU Member States CAR citizens or trickle down to local populations where those resources are located

c. CAR is vulnerable to  Adopt and implement a comprehensive strategy and policy adverse effects of climate framework to counter adverse effects of climate change and change and resilience environmental  Sustainable development requires action on three fronts: degradation but the State social, economic and environmental. Women are central to has limited capacity to progress in each area, as reaffirmed by the 2012 Rio+20 undertake adequate measures to mitigate the agreement, which makes commitments to ensuring risks of climate change women’s equal rights and opportunities. This requires and environmental empowering women and dropping discriminatory barriers degradation in diverse areas, among them agriculture, energy, health, education, employment and disaster risk reduction

3. Socio Economic and  Provide adequate resources and enhance the capacity of the Services Delivery state to provide and deliver social economic services

34 a. The State has limited particularly: Access to education, health services, jobs, capacity or ability to clean water and sanitation deliver basic and essential socio economic  Institutionalize women’s participation in and apply gender services across the country such as analysis to all post conflict planning processes so that education; jobs; clean women and girl’s specific needs and gender discrimination water; sanitation; and is addressed at every stage health. During the assessment period 7-17  Include women in local development and infrastructure August 2016 the Health programmes and involve them directly in setting priorities, Ministry had declared an identifying beneficiaries and monitoring implementation. outbreak of cholera with 16 people reported dead (WHO and OCHA)  As articulated in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, i. Promote women’s economic independence, including employment, and eradicate the persistent and increasing burden of poverty on women by addressing the structural causes of poverty through changes in economic structures, ensuring equal access for all women, including those in rural areas, as vital development agents, to productive resources, opportunities and public services (Beijing Declaration, Paragraph 26). ii. Ensure women’s equal access to economic resources, including land, credit science and technology, vocational training, information, communication and markets, as a means to further the advancement and empowerment of women and girls, including through the enhancement of their capacities to enjoy the benefits of equal access to these resources, inter alia, by means of international cooperation (Beijing Declaration, Paragraph 35). iii. Develop gender-sensitive multisectoral programmes and strategies to end social subordination of women and girls and to ensure their social and economic empowerment and equality… (Platform for Action, Paragraph 108[e]).

b. The poor transport,  Build and improve the infrastructure necessary to open up communication and rural areas in order to provide services and reach access infrastructure communities in the hinterland particularly with roads, network in the country hospital and health centres and schools hampers efforts to reach the majority of the rural populations to provide basic services especially health and education

c. CAR lacks effective  Enhance the capacity of local government authorities to devolved state authorities provide basic socio economic services through devolved in the rural parts government and administration including revenue especially on health collection including women in local development and services such as blood infrastructure programmes and involve them directly in banks, maternity and setting priorities, identifying beneficiaries and monitoring essential medicines implementation. which heavily impacts on access for these essential  The percentage of women in national legislatures has service to rural become a standard measure of a country’s achievements in populations women’s political participation. Globally, the average has inched upward, but is still far from reflecting women’s share in society; disparities are also wide among local government bodies. In the context of CAR, advocates for the National Assembly to increase the number of women leaders and representatives. Concretely, advocate for laws and budgets to promote gender equality, while helping legislators gain new knowledge of the value of gender equality and skills to advance it, bring together women leaders in CAR from across the political spectrum to jointly lobby for common gender-related priorities. Engage with Pan African Parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, amongst others to deepen collaboration with key parliamentary leaders and tailor CAR women parliamentarians to work to the particularities of different legislatures

d. High levels of illiteracy  Invest in universal access to primary and secondary and lack of jobs in the education and vocational training of the youth and young country means that the adults, providing them with catch-up programs in literacy majority of the and mathematical skills in addition to the practical population especially the vocational skills in order to empower them to be productive youth who constitute citizens in their families and communities, hence less over 70% of the entire vulnerable to recruitment for armed and criminal groups population of 4.6 Million with over 80% of the Youth being uneducated means that they are easy targets for recruits into armed groups and criminality (Ministry of Youth & UNDP) 4. Infrastructure Development:  CAR reconstruction is highly depended on access and a. Essential infrastructure opening up the countryside, and location of natural for socio- economic resources particularly through roads and reliable and development in CAR is adequate energy dilapidated and largely

absent – For instance  Build roads and enhance the capacity of CAR to produce beyond Bangui the road and transmit energy including renewable energy sources network is inaccessible

b. The current energy  Prioritize increasing the energy generation and generation capacity and transmission capacity of CAR and particular expand it to transmission is include renewable sources for production, manufacturing inadequate to power the and lighting beyond Bangui envisaged economic growth and development. With a reported current capacity of a meagre 40 MW, current energy generation countrywide is at 18 MW, which is hardly enough to light up sections of Bangui.

 Rehabilitate water and sanitation infrastructure and expand c. Water, Sanitation, it to cover the entire country through devolved government government facilities and and administration installations requires rebuilding, expansion and overhaul and importantly spread across the country to rural populations 5. State Service Delivery Capacity Enhancement:  Through devolution and local government and a. Limited service delivery administration ensure rural communities access basic social in CAR is highly economic services. centralized in Bangui and out of reach for the  Advocate for including women in local development and majority of rural infrastructure programmes and involve them directly in populations which is also setting priorities, identifying beneficiaries and monitoring party due to the current implementation. insecurity

b. Public civil servants are  Rebuild the confidence and capacity of state public demoralized and have officials to deliver socio economic services especially in few incentives to deliver education, and health through training, improvement of services with some still terms of service, regular payment of their salaries, training owed backdated salaries and facilitating technical exchange programmes in arrears and hardly receive promotions on merit, training and structured technical exchanges

6. Transparency and  Undertake legal and institutional reforms to foster Accountability: transparency and accountability a. The breakdown of the  Provide support for the establishment of anti-corruption rule of law in CAR led to bodies lack of transparency and accountability by public officials b. Corruption, nepotism and  Establish a public service commission with clear policies favouritism is rife in most and criteria for appointment and promotion to the public public service service including on discipline and possible restructuring of appointments including the service in the security sector and public service leading to indiscipline and poor service delivery 7. Rebuilding Social Capital:  Undertake advocacy and sensitization initiatives of citizens a. The collapse of the state to reinvigorate national pride, patriotism and sense of duty authorities across the to the state and foster national unity and cohesion. These country and its ability to could include creative art, music, sports and national duty offer adequate human such as community collective initiatives such as public and and personal security and street cleaning protection to the  The State should set up a social care system for vulnerable population resulted in populations erosion of the social  Advocate for including women in local development and fabric and glue that binds infrastructure programmes and involve them directly in CAR citizens and setting priorities, identifying beneficiaries and monitoring negatively impacted implementation. upon citizens self-worth, dignity and pride as a united and cohesive nation b. Ethnic and religious  Adopt and support religious tolerance and interreligious intolerance is a dialogue including respect of all religious events and manifestation of the loss holidays by Christians and Muslims of the CAR social capital  Establish procedures to ensure the representation of minorities in public institutions such as the parliament and in public service, including the army, the police and the judiciary 8. Role of the Diaspora:  Adopt a strategy to recruit and encourage the Diaspora in a. One of the casualties of PCRD efforts and where possible incentives to return to the conflict in CAR was a support the country’s post conflict reconstruction and significant hemorrhage development of talent and brain drain

9. Role of Private Sector in reconstruction:  Facilitate and promote private sector investment in the a. While there are mostly country through adopting measures and institutions such as foreign private sector reviving the Chamber of Commerce and policies for easing investments in CAR, ways of doing business there is need to

consolidate, support and  Undertake policy and legislative interventions to settle harness local investors domestic debt through refinancing and spur whose profits could be entrepreneurship and local investment opportunities reaped back to reconstruct the country Democratic Governance

1 Constitutionalism, Justice and Rule of Law:  The State should embrace and promote a culture of the rule a. A new Constitution of law, human rights and accountable governance which provides for separation of powers was  Strengthen and enhance the capacity of institutions that adopted by the safeguard and uphold democratic governance and play a Transitional Authorities watch-dog and oversight role of Executive functions the on 30 August 2015 and judiciary and Parliament including capacity building, endorsed through a including training and support with enacting enabling popular National legislation to implement the Constitution Referendum in December 2015  Undertake civic education to popularize the New Constitution among ordinary citizens, security sector and public officials through advocacy, media engagement and popular versions of the Constitutions especially the Bill of Rights b. While CAR has adopted  Adopt implementation legislation; legal reforms and numerous laws, they institutional re-building need to be aligned and reformed to ensure consistency with the New Constitution and the post conflict reconstruction and development agenda of the Government

c. The lack of state  Devolve power to local government authorities and authority across the enhance the capacity of community justice systems in country is reflected in the compliance with international human rights standards limited capacity, integrity, credibility scope and availability of judicial functions beyond Bangui and major urban centres

d. CAR judiciary lacks  Undertake judicial reforms including where necessary independence, diversity vetting and lustration of judicial officers involved in and capacity to dispense corruption fair justice and is in need of structural and substantive reforms

e. The country does not  Adopt and implement a national legal aid scheme have a legal aid scheme to enhance access to  Undertake civil education to sensitize and popularize the justice for indigent Bill of Rights populations the majority of whom are victims of human rights abuses f. Prisons and detention  Undertake penal reforms in compliance with international centers are overcrowded standards and do not meet  Enhance the capacity of the prisons systems in terms of minimum standards for infrastructure and improve conditions of detention and penitential institutions welfare of prison warders 2 Sovereignty and legitimacy of the Government and  Support and enhance the capacity of the Government to State Authority: deliver and implement its priorities as set out in the Bangui a. A legitimate Government National Forum and the President’s inaugural speech was elected and took office in March 2016 b. The New Government  Support expansion of State authority cross the entire functions and capacity is country through adoption and support for devolved and limited to Bangui largely local governance and administration. due to insecurity and lack  Undertake a strategic review and develop a draft framework of resources to extend for mainstreaming gender) into the security organs. An and devolve government expected outcome would be an enhanced understanding of services to the gender in peace and security, and increased gender Prefectures and rural representation and participation in peace and security areas processes in the country, and enhanced formative and oversight roles of the government and relevant stakeholders. c. The Government is still  CAR should be supported technically and resource wise to reliant on MINUSCA and rebuild a national defence and security force (FACA, French Forces for Gendarmerie and Police) of their own government and protection of its strategic citizens, and installations in order to revive national pride, installations and officials patriotism, sovereignty and legitimacy of the State

d. The country’s capacity  Undertake comprehensive SSR s and reconstitute a diverse, and ability to police and multi ethnic, regionally balanced, inclusive and secure its borders is representative Republican FACA, gendarmerie and police obsolete beyond the force including forest guards and border police. airport and major transit border points given the fact that its security forces particularly FACA is severely constrained pending SSR

3 Managing Diversity  Adopt policies, initiatives and programmes to foster and (Ethnic and Religious): manage the country’s rich diversity including through schools, public service, security sectors reforms and public appointments

a. CAR has rich and diverse population of about 4.6 Million people

b. The two main armed  Promote interreligious dialogue towards national healing groups during the last and reconciliation and national unity conflict were fractured along religious lines- Seleka mainly Muslims an Anti-Balaka who are mainly Christian

c. While there is marked  Promote religious tolerance through civic education, progress in education and interreligious partnership and collaboration acknowledging religious as well as public recognition of the religious diversity of the diversity in CAR as society exemplified by the recent election of a Muslim as the Speaker of Parliament and appointment of 4 Muslim Cabinet Ministers much more needs to be done to recognize and foster religious diversity and tolerance of CAR 4 Public Service and  Rebuild the public service through establishment of a Administration: public service commission and reconstruct and restore a. Public and civil service public records was severely affected by the conflict with many Government infrastructure and public records looted or destroyed

b. The capacity of the civil  Adopt policies and incentives to attract the diaspora to service is hampered by return and invest in the country including creating brain drain and high incentives tax breaks and attractive remuneration and levels of illiteracy in conditions of service CAR

c. Terms of Service of the  Review terms and conditions of service in the public sectors public service in CAR are and adopt a performance management scheme which is poor with civil servant in gender-sensitive past going for months without pay, some which are still owing, lack of promotion, retirement

and pension schemes and related incentives

5 Local Governance and  Adopt devolved and local governance as a model for Devolution: decentralizing governance and socio-economic service a. State Authority in CAR is delivery limited to Bangui and  Advocate for the inclusion of women in local development major urban centres. and infrastructure programmes and involve them directly in Local and devolved setting priorities, identifying beneficiaries and monitoring governance and implementation. administration in CAR is almost non-existent with national authorizes being responsible for all forms of service delivery including revenue collection - which is largely lacking of essential services 6 Human Rights and Transitional Justice:  Undertake, advocacy training, awareness and sensitization a. While the New to citizens on the Bill of Rights and train the security sector Constitution provides for and public official on human rights protection and a Bill of Rights, human promotion rights violations and  Encourage the participation of women at all stages of the abuses at the hands of peace processes as part of national reconciliation, in all state security agents and initiatives aimed at reconstruction and in the transitional non-state actors is justice process, and especially at the decision-making level rampant  Establish a National Human Rights Commission, as proposed by the Bangui National Forum  Establish a Truth, Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation Commission, as proposed by the Bangui National Forum 7 Addressing Impunity,  Document and investigate crimes and atrocities that were Corruption and committed before and during the conflict and identify Accountability: possible perpetrators and victims towards accountability, a. Numerous international reparations and psychosocial support crimes were committed during the conflict in  Establish a Special Court for Accountability of CAR between 2013 and International Crimes committed during the conflict 2015

b. There has been no  Undertake justice and judicial reforms and rehabilitate the accountability country’s prosecutorial and judicial functions and explore mechanism and the applicability of traditional and community justice processes to address systems impunity for those crimes in CAR given the near total collapse of the judicial functions during the conflict 42

c. Corruption remains a  Address impunity and corruption by establishing a specific major problem affecting mechanism dedicated to rooting out corruption service delivery in CAR

8 Elections, Popular  Strengthen and enhance the independence, capacity of the Participation and Inclusion National Elections Authority of Citizens: a. Despite some challenges the National Elections Authority conducted a successful and inclusive Constitutional Referendum and Free and Fair General Elections b. The Bangui Forum  Adopt enabling legislation to facilitate access to exemplified what is information and establish an office of the public possible when a nation is protector/ombudsman united in finding durable home grown and owned  Establish mechanisms and processes for regular and solutions to the structured public engagement between the state and citizens challenges facing CAR in on matters of national and local interest terms of inclusion, participation and engagement of all stakeholders

c. Youth, Women and  Adopt affirmative action measures and provisions to ensure CSOs still remain at the gender parity as well enhance participation of women and margins of state youth in governance and advocate for including women in rebuilding processes local development and infrastructure programmes.  Build capacity of, and provide safe spaces for, youth and women to form and run effective organizations, councils to enhance their participation in civil society so as to increase their participation in monitoring, or influencing governance of their country. 9 Humanitarian Assistance –  Promote local integration of refugees and Refugees and Internally IDPs and in concert with neighbouring Displaced Peoples: countries to improve regional peace and security to facilitate resettlement and a. The recent conflict return of refugees displaced about 500,000 central African citizens most of whom are still  Create conditions conducive for the stabilization of the refugees in neighboring country, including through restoration of security, and countries promotion of mutual tolerance and national reconciliation,

in order to pave way for the peaceful return and reintegration of the Central African regions.

 Ensure that internally displaced persons and refugees have the right to return to their places of residence and to enjoy other benefits as nationals of the Central African Republic  Take measures to guarantee the safe return of internally displaced persons and refugees, including by securing their places of origin and their property  In humanitarian assistance programmes and programming decisions, take full account of the needs of people living with disabilities a. Over 400,000 persons  Implement quick impact projects for IDPs in areas of health remain internally displaced including psycho-social support, water, sanitation, due to the conflict as well as community income-generating projects and indigenous due to foreign armed groups justice mechanisms especially the LRA. They are traumatized, living at survival level and are yet to be resettled in their communities of origin or be relocated. b. Access for humanitarian  Rehabilitate all the key routes in the hinterland and linking assistance is hampered by with neighboring countries in order to improve access for inaccessibility of most of the the delivery of services, enhancement of trade, easy hinterland of CAR due to movement of persons and protection of the population poor roads and infrastructure including from cross-border threats.

Security 1. Security Sector Reforms:  Undertake holistic and integrated security sector a. The Bangui Forum reforms especially reconstituting a multi ethnic proposed comprehensive inclusive and republican army, gendarmerie and police force Security Sector Reforms targeting the military  Put in place a programme of disarmament, (FACA), the police, demobilization and reintegration adapted to children; gendarmerie, Border consider professional apprenticeships for the reintegration of juvenile offenders who have been Security and Forest given light sentences and/or who have served their Guards sentences

 Combat trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder in children by establishing after-school support groups, training specialized school counsellors, improving school security and ensuring that schools are not used by any armed forces; and establish programmes to raise parents’ awareness of the issue of sexual violence against children

b. The FACA is literally  Pursuant to the President’s vision (inauguration speech of non-existent, with the 30 March 2016), fast-track the envisaged SSR and DDRR few remaining officers process for the country to pave way for the rebuilding of a incapacitated, lack a professional, apolitical, multi-ethnic republican national proper command army constituted of soldiers recruited inclusively from all structure, weapons, the ethnic groups in the country. training, uniforms, and resources to deploy c. There has been no clear  Delineated mandates, and command structures of the delineation of duties security forces between the military, gendarmerie and police force

d. The Forest Guard have  Reestablish, capacitate and equip the Forest Guards with mostly abandoned their necessary tools and incentives to curb poaching and protect posts due to the high level the country wildlife and forest resources of insecurity in the forests and have limited if any capacity to prevent poaching and illegal exploitation of the forests 2. Public Order and Security  Reconstitute the FACA, the gendarmerie, and police forces a. Provision of security even for Government officials and installations in the country is mostly under MINUSCA as much as MINUSCA mandate does not include restoring public order – which is a responsibility of state security agents b. Apart from a few secured  Deploy the reconstituted police and gendarmerie to secure places in Bangui, human civilians and expand their reach to the rural areas and personal security in CAR is still precarious  Promote community policing and security with armed groups and criminal elements controlling large sections of the country

c. Human rights abuses  Develop a national strategy which should aim to address especially sexual and sexual and gender-based violence in CAR to provide a gender based violence in common approach and guidance for the government to CAR is prevalent at the effectively address SGBV. It represents a systematic and hands of security forces coordinated, regional intervention that involves all relevant and non-state actors sectors, structures and communities to jointly turn back the tide of SGBV. The strategy will ensure that the necessary mechanisms are instituted, resources allocated and political will cultivated to address SGBV. An expected outcome is an increased understanding of gender, peace and security issues resulting in more effective, efficient and gender responsive peace and security sectors where the needs and interests of both men and women are met.

 Conduct training and capacity building within the security forces on human rights and humanitarian law

d. State – civic relations are poor and adversarial due  Promote military - civic relations through community to abuse of the citizens by public works and policing state and non-state security agents which requires rebuilding of public trust, confidence and image of the security service 3. Reconstituting and Role of  Advocate for flexibility and partial lifting of the arms FACA: embargo in line with ongoing SSR reforms a. An arms embargo is in place which means that reconstituting FACA will require concerted efforts and cooperation from AU and Member States working within the ambit of the UNSC Sanctions regime

b. Given the large territory  Redefine the role of the FACA in CAR to take a more and limited capacity of developmental mandate towards reconstruction the FACA even when reconstituted to cover the entire expanse of the country, its role should be redefined to serve a modern development and reconstruction army

c. FACA as currently  Reconstitute the court martials, disciplinary procedure, and constituted is largely a where necessary restructure serving FACA including byproduct of several retirement and reconstitution a Republic multi ethnic army failed DDR initiatives and is marred by corruption, human rights abuses, incompetence, indiscipline, ethnic and regional imbalance and does not reflect the face and needs of the country 4. Disarmament,  Conduct a critical assessment and evaluation of why despite Demobilization and three (3) past DDRR efforts in CAR they were largely Reintegration: unsuccessful in order to tease out lessons learnt and ensure a. The country has so far that the proposed DDRR programme has positive impact undertaken 3 DDRR and results programmes since

independence; those programmes were mostly  Implement a nationally-owned and African-led unsuccessful Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration program for the various armed groups, notably anti-Balaka and ex- Seleka.

b. DDRR and SSR have not  Embark on a coordinated and systematically linked national been systematically owned and led gender-sensitive DDRR programmes with linked in CAR SSR

c. DDRR initiatives  Undertake inclusive, participatory and nationally undertaken in the past owned, led and participatory and gender-sensitive have excluded non- DDRR Programme that will go hand in hand with SSR combatants especially youth and women  Ensure that no child acts on behalf of a militia. Children released or separated from armed groups are victims and should receive special protection  Continue efforts towards reopening schools and rehabilitating hospitals and health centres; protect those institutions and put an end to their use for military purposes

5. Cross border/regional  Strengthen the AU Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Security issues: Elimination of the LRA (RCI-LRA) by focusing the main a. Armed groups such as effort on CAR which is the group’s current centre of LRA and transnational gravity, and by broadening its mandate to include the criminal networks neutralization of all armed negative groups operating in its continue destabilizing the area of responsibility. countryside, and competing for access to,  Impose and enforce targeted sanctions and strengthen as well as control of, enforcement against individuals and entities perpetrating mines (gold, diamond) insecurity, violence and criminality in the country, in and commercial centres collaboration with regional neighbours.

where they collect illegal  Restart the Kimberly process to enable the government taxes, trade in minerals boost its economy with legitimate revenues, while and traffic wildlife preventing conflict diamonds from armed groups and products including ivory criminals. to finance their war efforts

b. Foreign armed groups  Strengthen the regional fight against the LRA, and other such as the LRA and armed groups in eastern CAR, including through the Janjaweed Militia who lobbying of the UN to authorize the creation of an African- have caused led Special Intervention Brigade within MINUSCA. displacement of civilians, abductions and recruitment of child soldiers and atrocities to local population c. Cross border and regional  Enhance preventive diplomacy and conflict prevention security cooperation aimed at promoting good neighbourliness and regional among some of CAR cooperation between/among CAR’s neighbours neighbours is inadequate and needs to be fostered with strengthened diplomatic relations and security cooperation 6. Private Security: a. CAR’s private security  Regulate and ensure oversight of the country’s private companies especially in security industry the protection of the country’s natural resources is still unregulated and a cause for concern

Cross-cutting Issues 1. Youth Inclusion,  Harness the demographic dividend of the country by Participation and recognizing and adopting specific measures to empower Empowerment: and avail education, technical and vocations skills a. Youth Constitute acquisition and entrepreneurship opportunities for the approximately 72% of youth in CAR the 4.6 estimated  Advocate for including women and youth in national and population of the local development and infrastructure programmes, and country, 80 % of whom involve them in setting priorities, identifying beneficiaries are uneducated and monitoring implementation.

b. Lack of education, lack  Invest in the education of the affected children; establish of jobs and access to catch-up educational programs, including literacy and opportunities for mathematical skills to enable former child soldiers and productive engagement disadvantaged women and former abductees to attain basic leaves most youth literacy. vulnerable and easy prey

for recruitment by armed and criminal groups  Provide vocational skills training provide or improve the quality of existing schools so as to assure a better and secure learning environment

c. Youth are not adequately  Adopt affirmative action measures to harnesses the country represented in Parliament demographic dividend measures and ensure adequate or in Executive functions representation of youth in governance processes and institutions 2. Women Inclusion,  Adopt policies and mechanisms to address the Participation and marginalization and exclusion of women in CAR including Empowerment: to address the effects of the impact of conflict including a. Women in CAR bear the through education, and special designed programmes brunt of the conflict as recognising the role of women victims  Establish a system to guarantee a minimum representation of women among members of parliament and offer incentives to political parties to put forward women candidates

b. While there is notable  Adopt gender empowerment legislation progress in the and establish a Gender Commission representation of women in Parliament with about 15 out of 115 MPs and 4 out of 23 Cabinet Ministers, much more needs to be done to ensure gender equity and representation

 Adopt affirmative action measures and provisions on c. The country does not gender empowerment and representation in socio economic have affirmative action and governance institutions and processes including in mechanism and measures mediation, SSR and DDRR There is growing evidence that to redress pervasive large-scale investment in women’s economic gender inequality empowerment generates immediate and long-term social dividends, including in post-conflict situations d. Women have largely  Support and ensure that women are included, participate been left out of peace and lead reconciliation, accountability, peace processes processes including including mediation dialogue DDRR and SSR programmes mediation, political negotiations and DDRR as well as SSR reform processes 3. Addressing and  Adopt a gender and legal policy in gender Accountability for Sexual empowerment and equality and Gender Based Crimes  Establish a system to guarantee a minimum and Violence: representation of women among members of a. CAR does not have a parliament and offer incentives to political parties to gender legal and policy put forward women candidate. 49

framework to address  The proposed judicial reform should dedicate resources to gender inequality and gender justice, dedicating its approach and methodologies empowerment to women’s priorities and needs b. There is presently no  According to reports by the AU, UN, and civil society state led accountability organization many cases, violence and insecurity continue mechanism for sexual or even increase for women including youth and children, and gender based largely due to impunity, the absence of effective justice violence against women systems and an unreformed security sector. Re-establishing in CAR the rule of law is pertinent to women’s security, protection of rights, and, ultimately, an equitable and sustainable peace.  Violence against women and girls in the CAR is still rooted in gender-based discrimination and social norms and gender stereotypes that perpetuate such violence. Given the devastating effect violence has had on women, efforts by international partners such as the UN Women have mainly focused on responses and services for survivors. A national policy needs to be adopted based on a conflict prevention approach which places a strong focus on prevention through the promotion of gender equality, women’s empowerment and their enjoyment of human rights.  In the long-term, an effective strategy to end violence against women and girls is to prevent it from happening in the first place by addressing its root and structural causes. Therefore, responses need to factor this aspect into planning, implementation and monitoring  The proposed judicial reform should dedicate resources to gender justice, dedicating its approach and methodologies to women’s priorities and needs  Undertake, investigations, prosecutions and accountability for sexual and gender based violence  Develop a national strategy which should aim to address sexual and gender-based violence in CAR to provide a common approach and guidance for the government to effectively address SGBV. It represents a systematic and coordinated, regional intervention that involves all relevant sectors, structures and communities to jointly turn back the tide of SGBV. The strategy will ensure that the necessary mechanisms are instituted, resources allocated and political will cultivated to address SGBV. An expected outcome is an increased understanding of gender, peace and security issues resulting in more effective, efficient and gender responsive peace and security sectors where the needs and interests of both men and women are met.

 Undertake, sensitization and promotion of the rights of women including training of security actors to prevent sexual and gender based violence.

Annexure 3: Executive summary in French

Évaluation des Besoins Pour la Reconstruction et le Développement Post-Conflit

République Centrafricaine

Rapport de Mission – Résumé

7-17 Août 2016

Résumé

1. A la demande de la Commission de l'Union Africaine (CUA) et conformément à une Résolution du Conseil de Paix et de Sécurité de l'UA lors de sa 612 éme Réunion tenue le 26 Juillet 2016, une équipe d'experts a procédé à une évaluation des besoins sur la reconstruction post-conflit et le développement en République Centrafricaine (RCA) du 7 au 17 Août 2016. Les principales conclusions de l'évaluation sont les suivantes:

2. Sécurité

a. La situation sécuritaire reste fragile avec la prévalence des violations des droits de l'homme, l'incidence de flambée de violence, la tension et la criminalité dans tout le pays. La situation est aggravée par le manque d'autorité de l'Etat dans la plupart des régions du pays, ce qui se traduit l’apathie de la population des civils en général; la frustration et l'émergence de groupes de miliciens armés auto-assistés, le banditisme et la criminalité comme un moyen et un moyen de survie.

b. Une incapacité notoire est observée au niveau des forces de défense et de sécurité de RCA avec désertion, l'indiscipline et le manque d'équipements, des uniformes, des armes ainsi que des structures de commandement appropriées qui a sévèrement restreint leur aptitude à se déployer et assurer la sécurité. Bien que des efforts sont en cours pour entreprendre des réformes du secteur de sécurité ainsi que des programmes de DDRR dans une esprit d’appropriation nationale, les sanctions et l’embargo des armes du Conseil de Sécurité des NU limite sévèrement l’aptitude actuelle des forces de sécurité de RC et leur capacité à assurer la sécurité, la MINUSCA devant combler le vide , bien qu’il ait un mandat limité quant à la protection des civils et des infrastructures stratégiques du gouvernement et les fonctionnaires.

c. Les groupes armés notamment les anciens éléments Séléka et Anti-Balaka continuent de contrôler de vastes territoires du pays, y compris les zones riches en ressources naturelles, collectant des taxes illégales, entraînant l'intimidation et commettant des violations des droits de l’homme et des atrocités graves au sein des populations civiles.

d. L’armée de résistance du Seigneur (“Lord Resistance Army” -LRA) reste une menace importante pour la paix et la sécurité. Le résultat a été le déplacement interne des populations civiles, le recrutement des enfants soldats, les enlèvements de femmes, le pillage, la destruction de biens, des violations des droits de l'homme, des atrocités et la 51

violence sexuelle basée sur le genre et une partie de la population forcée à se réfugier en dehors du pays.

3. Gouvernance Démocratique

a. Pour donner un sens et une efficacité à la nouvelle dispensation constitutionnelle, les réformes juridiques et institutionnelles doivent être entreprises afin d'aligner les nouvelles lois avec les priorités stratégiques du Gouvernement pour la reconstruction et le développement post-conflit. Ces priorités sont les suivantes: la paix, la réconciliation et la sécurité; restauration du contrat social entre l'État et la population; et la reprise économique et le renforcement des secteurs productifs.

b. La plupart des institutions de gouvernance démocratique ou qui assurent la prestation des services publics en RCA en particulier la sécurité, le service public, la gouvernance locale, judiciaire, pénale, la santé, sont sévèrement frappés d'incompétence. L'accès à ces facilites et services par les citoyens est gravement entravé par le manque d'infrastructures telles que les routes, l'électricité et le fait qu'il y ait une absence d'autorité de l'Etat pour garantir la sécurité.

c. Des violations des droits de l'homme et les atrocités liées en particulier à la violence sexuelle basée sur le genre en RCA sont s surtout par des groupes armés et les gangs criminels mais il existe également de graves allégations d'abus de violence sexuelle par des agents de sécurité de l'Etat, les troupes Françaises de l’opération Sangaris et de la MINUSCA.

d. L'Assemblée nationale n’a pas dans le passé, joué son important rôle de contrôle de l’Exécutif. La nouvelle Constitution exige expressément au Parlement d'exercer avec diligence son rôle de contrôle, en vertu du principe de la séparation des pouvoirs, de l’action gouvernementale y compris en ce qui concerne la signature des contrats par le Président et le Premier Ministre en rapport avec la gestion des ressources naturelles du pays. Le fort taux d'analphabétisme existant dans le pays signifie également qu’il y a des membres du Parlement qui n’ont pas l'éducation requise et donc manquent la capacité de passer des lois et jouer leur rôle de contrôle de l’Exécutif.

e. La situation humanitaire en RCA reste désastreuse. Plus de 2 millions des 4,6 millions de Centrafricains sont tributaires de l'aide humanitaire à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur des frontières du pays. Il y a plus de 400 000 personnes déplacées en RCA et plus 460.000 réfugiés dans les pays voisins.

4. Développement Socio-Economique

a. Malgré ses riches ressources naturelles, la population du pays est l'une des plus pauvres du monde. En effet la croissance économique enregistrée durant les trois dernières décennies est autour de 2% par an tandis que la population croit à 2,5% par an. En 2015 les revenues fiscales annuelles se seraient élevées à une somme dérisoire de $ 100,6 Millions ne pouvant donc pas couvrir même les dépenses primaires d'environ 181 Millions de Dollars US. Le pays dépend plus de l'aide des bailleurs de fonds pour financer son déficit budgétaire, y compris les dépenses courantes, les dépenses d’investissement et de développement.

b. L'accès aux services socio-économiques de base est fortement limité par le manque de ressources financières et humaines ainsi que de la capacité de l'État à fournir des services.

c. Le manque d'autorité de l'État sur l'ensemble du territoire, ainsi que le manque de sécurité et l’incapacité de gérer efficacement toutes ses frontières, a facilité des activités de contrebande ainsi que des sorties illicites de ressources financières et naturelles.

d. Le manque d'infrastructures devant faciliter l'accès et l’ouverture vers l'arrière-pays à travers les routes et de l'énergie a exacerbé la situation sécuritaire en RCA ainsi que la marginalisation continue et l'exclusion des communautés rurales qui n'accèdent pas aux services socio-économiques de base.

5. Questions Transversales

a. Le manque d'éducation, d'emploi et d'accès à des opportunités dans les secteurs productifs laisse la plupart des jeunes en proie à la vulnérabilité et à la merci pour le recrutement facile par des groupes armés et criminels.

b. Les femmes en RCA ont porté le poids du conflit en tant que victimes et des survivants, mais en grande partie restent faiblement représentées dans les processus de reconstruction du pays. Le pays ne dispose pas de mécanismes et de mesures pour remédier à l'inégalité du genre qui est grandissante. Le plus préoccupant est le fait que les femmes ont été largement exclues des processus de paix, y compris la médiation, les négociations politiques et DDRR ainsi que les processus de RSS.

6. Principales Recommandations Adressées à l’Union Africaine

a. Organiser une conférence de solidarité africaine à Addis Ababa, Ethiopie , avant la Conférence des partenaires en Novembre 2016 a Brussels pour mobiliser la contribution bilatérale des pays Africains et le secteur prive Africain en vue d’appuyer les efforts de reconstruction de la RCA y compris l’identification des initiatives stratégique en matière de développement des infrastructures et la mise en commun des expertises Africaines nécessaires.

b. Appuyer et orienter les efforts internationaux de réduction de la levée des sanctions imposées sur la RCA y compris la reprise du processus de cerfication des exportations de diamant ( Process de Kimberly) ainsi que la levée partielle des sanctions des NU contre les armes pour faciliter la reconstitution de l’armée de la RCA, de la gendarmerie, de la police et accompagner le processus DDRR et la réforme des services de sécurité qui doivent s’opérer de façon holistique, participative avec une appropriation nationale , mais également mobiliser les pays membres de l’Union Africaine pour qu’ils coopèrent à travers le régime des sanctions des Nations Unies en vue de fournir à la RCA les outils de formation , les armes, et expertise nécessaires à cet effet.

c. Faciliter le dialogue avec les pays voisins pour la promotion de la paix et la sécurité régionale en vue de réduire et éliminer les menaces de sécurité externes à la RCA.

d. Développer une politique et une plateforme juridique en vue de l’établissement des memoranda d’entente pendant la transmission des opérations de maintien de la paix de

l’Union Africaine vers les missions des Nations Unies pour faciliter la synergie, la coopération et la complémentarité dans les domaines de coopération future ainsi que l’appui au bureau de liaison de l’Union Africaine en termes de transport, services médicaux, partage des informations , la maintenance des équipements ainsi que les évacuations médicales et de sécurité.

e. Revoir la structure actuelle des bureaux de liaison de l’Union Africaine en Afrique centrale (Tchad, Burundi, RDC, RCA) en vue d’une meilleure coopération et coordination et si nécessaire une consolidation des capacités pour améliorer l’efficience et l’efficacité et créer un plus grand impact dans les conditions actuelles de précarité de ressources.

f. Augmenter les capacités et l’expertise mise à la disposition de la RCA à travers la MISCA dans les domaines de la justice transitionnelle notamment dans l’établissement de la Commission nationale des droits de l’homme, de la Commission , vérité, justice, réparation et réconciliation et de la Cour pénale spéciale.

g. Identifier et développer un projet pilote en RCA sur les dividendes démographiques en rapport avec le thème de l’Union Africaine de l’année 2017 qui pourrait inclure la formation professionnelle, le rôle de la jeunesse dans le processus démocratique et la consolidation de la paix, l’éducation et le développement des opportunités d’emploi pour la jeunesse en milieu rural en particulier.

h. Identifier et mettre en œuvre à travers le groupe de travail interdépartemental de la Commission de l’Union africaine sur la reconstruction post conflit des projets d’impact rapide ou de consolidation de la paix dans les différents domaines prioritaires de la RCA et cela en collaboration avec le Représentant Spécial de la Présidente de la Commission de l’Union Africaine en RCA.

i. Développer à travers la représentation spéciale de l’Union Africaine en RCA en collaboration et en partenariat avec la CEEAC une stratégie de mettre en œuvre, de suivre et de rendre compte sur la mise en œuvre, les faiblesses et opportunités qu’offre la reconstruction post conflit en RCA.

7. Recommandations adressées au Gouvernement de la RCA

a. S’assurer de la complémentarité, la synergie et la coordination entre les manières de conduire la DDRR et la Réforme des services de sécurité avec une attention particulière aux besoins d’appropriation des deux processus ainsi que l’inclusion et la participation de toutes les parties prenantes y compris les jeunes et femmes non combattantes.

b. Renforcer la coopération, la collaboration et les bonnes relations entre les pays voisins pour atteindre la paix et la sécurité régionale en réduisant les menaces dues à l’infiltration des groupes armés étrangers. S’assurer que dans ces efforts de reconstitution de ses capacités militaires, la RCA attache une attention particulière à la sécurisation de ses frontières pour contribuer à la paix et la sécurité régionale.

c. Considérer favorablement en collaboration avec l’Union Africaine l’adoption d’un mécanisme régional de partage d’informations en matière de sécurité similaire aux processus de Nouakchott et de Djibouti pour le Sahel et l’Afrique de l’Est 54

respectivement pour mieux coordonner les efforts pour combattre les menaces d’extrémisme violent et autres crimes transfrontaliers dans le pays et dans la région.

d. Mettre en œuvre les dispositions pertinentes de la Constitution et entreprendre des réformes institutionnelles nécessaires en vue d’atteindre les objectifs de reconstruction et de développement. Ce faisant, adhérer au principe de séparation des pouvoirs législatifs, exécutifs et judiciaires en vue d’assurer le contrôle approprié , le devoir de rendre compte et la réalisation effective des aspirations du peuple centrafricain. Il s’agit de mettre en œuvre les recommandations du Forum de Bangui en matière de lutte contre l’impunité, l’unité nationale et la réconciliation à travers la mise en place de la Commission nationale des droits de l’homme, de Commission vérité, justice, réparation et réconciliation et de la cour pénale spéciale.

e. S’assurer que les troupes de maintien de la paix répondent de leurs actes en cas de violation des droits de l’homme et des actes de violence sexuelle.

f. Renforcer les relations entre l’Etat et la population à travers la décentralisation, l’éducation civique, et les cadres d’interactions au sujet des services socio-économiques à la population, la police de proximité, et l’implication de l’armée dans les activités communautaires et le développement des infrastructures à travers les initiatives de « l’armée de production » ou la promotion des « centres de développement ».

g. Elargir la base taxable à tous les secteurs économiques y compris les secteurs miniers, agricoles et manufacturiers. Impliquer les autorités locales dans l’amélioration de la collecte des revenues publiques et la discipline fiscale et renforcer les services des douanes dans la lutte contre la corruption, la fraude, les transferts financiers illicites et l’exploitation illicite des ressources naturelles.

8. Recommandations adressées aux Communautés Régionales

a. La Commission de l’Union Africaine devrait en collaboration avec la CEEAC et le COMESA étendre le projet pilote sur la coopération transfrontalière financé par la Banque allemande KFW à la RCA en vue d’améliorer le commerce et la sécurité transfrontalière et la coopération entre les pays voisins de la RC.

b. La CEMAC et la CEEAC devraient coopérer avec le FMI dans la mise en place des mécanismes tendant à substituer les pertes de revenues sur les taxes à l’importation dues aux exigences des régimes d’intégration régionale à travers une amélioration de la taxation indirecte et tout autre mécanisme de compensation.

9. Recommandations adressées aux Pays Membre de l’Union Africaine

a. Renforcer la sécurité transfrontalière à travers des arrangements bilatéraux en matière de sécurité et d’échange de renseignements à travers les relations diplomatiques, la gestion des douanes et des services de gestion de frontières.

b. Offrir et faciliter l’échange d’expériences en faveur de la RCA en matière de reconstruction post conflit.

c. Mettre à la disposition des experts et des moyens financiers à la RCA dans les domaines clefs de DDRR, la réforme des services de sécurité, la gouvernance démocratique, la gouvernance locale, les services publics, la justice, la gestion commerciale et le développement des infrastructures.

10. Recommandations adressées au Secteur Privé

a. Mobiliser des ressources financières et humaines en vue de la reconstruction de la RCA dans les domaines des infrastructures, de l’énergie, des transports, de la communication et de l’exploitation des ressources naturelles.

b. Inclure systématiquement dans les projets publics exécutés par les entreprises privées une composante de formation des cadres et ouvriers centrafricains pour assurer l’augmentation du capital humain centrafricain.

c. Mettre en œuvre des programmes répondant au principe de responsabilité sociale des entreprises pouvant couvrir les domaines sociaux ou les actions d’intérêt communautaire comme les ponts.

11. Recommandations adressées à la Communauté Internationale

a. Agir comme de véritables garants de la stabilisation de la RCA à travers la MINUSCA et développer de concert avec les autorités centrafricaines une stratégie de paix et sécurité durable et amener progressivement la RCA à assumer entièrement ses prérogatives régaliennes en matière de sécurité.

b. Appuyer la reconstruction de la RC avec des moyens adéquats et débourser les fonds promis de façon rapide de façon à éviter que les dividendes de la paix ne tardent pas a être accessibles.

Annexure 4 – References

1. Rapport du Forum de Bangui, Mai 2015 2. Rapport de la mission d’experts multidisciplinaire en République Centrafricaine, 3-15 Avril 2006 3. Rapport du Secrétaire General des NU sur la situation en République Centrafricaine, 1 Avril 2016 4. Soffies Scoffer, Emeline Ferrier, Mia Marie Olsen, Miranda, Schusterman, Monika, Norkute, Nature et formes de la violence , causes du conflit en RCA, Grenoble 2014 5. Report on the sensitization workshop on DDRR in CAR , Addis Ababa , Ethiopia, 25-26 November 2015 6. Preliminary assessment of stabilization and rehabilitation needs of LRA affected areas in CAR, October- December 2012 7. Report on the AU-UN-EU- and African security sector network assessment on the security sector in CAR, 18-26 May 2014 8. Lettre du Gouvernement adressée à la Directrice du FMI, 7 Juillet 2016 9. Needs assessment for recovery and peace building in the CAR, Joint Donors scoping mission, May 2016 10. EU Training Mission in CAR, Fiche de projet de création d’un centre de formation professionnelle et de reconversion pour les militaires centrafricains, 12 Aout 2016 11. UN/WB PCNA review, January 2007 12. Décrets présidentiels portant création des structures de gestion des programmes DDRR, RSS et réconciliation 2, Juillet 2016 13. Communique of the 593rd Meeting of the AU PSC, 26 April 2016 14. Communique of the 612th Meeting of the AU PSC, 26 July 2016 15. Inauguration Speech of the CAR President, 30 March 2016 16. Speech of Prime Minister to the Parliament, 7 June 2016