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By Hippolyte Marboua | AP
February 8th at 14:47
BANGUI, Central African Republic – An agreement signed by the Central African Republic and 14 rebel groups earlier this week will see the dissolution of armed groups, the formation of an inclusive government and the creation of a fund for victims of years of conflict, according to the agreement seen Friday.
The agreement signed Wednesday is the eighth since the start of fighting in 2013, but the first to emerge from a direct dialogue. The 30-page peace pact, negotiated in Sudan and titled Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, addresses four main issues: victims, justice, peace and national reconciliation.
The agreement provides for armed groups to respect the legitimacy of the country's institutions and to renounce the use of weapons and violence against the defense and security forces, US personnel and aid workers.
They also agree to refrain from any act of destruction, occupation of public buildings, places of worship and violence against the civilian population, as well as acts of violence. badual or gender-based violence.
In exchange, armed groups can create political parties.
Meanwhile, the government will monitor the agreement and badyze the reinstatement of the leaders of the armed groups who were civil servants or military.
The government is also committed to setting up a Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission within 90 days, cutting short the idea of an amnesty long negotiated by the leaders of armed groups.
The signatories also commit to establishing mixed security units comprising elements of the defense and security forces as well as veterans after the training.
This means that the armed groups will dissolve their movement, facilitate the return of state authority and participate in disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation within two months.
Armed groups currently control about 80 percent of the Central African Republic and President Faustin Archange Touadera, in power since 2016, is struggling to stabilize the country as armed groups compete for land rich in gold, diamonds and uranium.
The main conflict in the Central African Republic began in 2013 when Muslim majority rebels from the Seleka took power in Bangui. Anti-balaka militias largely Christian fought back. The rebels continue to carry out deadly attacks on IDP camps and other communities.
The African Union, which oversaw negotiations that began on January 24 in Khartoum, expressed optimism about the agreement.
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