C. An African city casts a worried look at the rise of the warlord

Even in view of the turbulent standards of the Central African Republic, the view was remarkable: a regional warlord stood beside distinguished personalities during ceremonies in a city where his name is widely feared.

Less than four months earlier, Ali Darbada's militia, the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC), was fighting against government and UN forces.

Today, however, their representatives found themselves at his side in the key town of Bambari – the next step in a controversial attempt to bring peace to this troubled country.

An armored vehicle of the UN Mission MINUSCA, keeping access to Bambari Hospital. By FLORENT VERGNES (AFP / File)

After seven unsuccessful peace agreements since 2013, an agreement reached in Khartoum in February attributed to 14 militia leaders who control most of the country's territory government roles, frequently competing for resources and competing for power. ethnicity or religion

The great hope is to encourage the warlords to work together to strengthen security and strengthen governance.

Detractors, however, fear that these concessions may be a straw for men who should be prosecuted for extrajudicial murder, rape, looting and other crimes.

The new posts may "sacrifice the need for justice," warned Thierry Vircoulon, a specialized observer, after the previous peace agreements were compromised by the prospect of a war crimes trial.

"" Zero tolerance for impunity, "said Vircoulon, referring to a UN word of order," has become a "zero tolerance for justice". "

Local fears

The ceremony in Bambari on April 15 aimed to introduce the future members of the mixed units that will help ensure security – an innovation that integrates rebel fighters and members of the armed forces.

Darbada, a self-proclaimed four-star general, was joined at the steps by Prime Minister Firmin Ngrebada, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, and Smail Chergui, commissioner for peacekeeping. peace and security of the African Union.

On March 24, three warlords were officially appointed as special military advisers to the prime minister.

Two of them are Mahamat Al Khatim, leader of the Central African Patriotic Movement (MPC) and Sidiki Abbad, commander of a group called Return, Recovery, Rehabilitation, known as 3R.

The third is Darbada, who took office in Bambari, a crossroads town in the center of the country. An anonymous UN source told AFP that this nomination "means that it supports Bambari with Bangui's approval."

Many people in Bambari are deeply suspicious of UPC fighters. By FLORENT VERGNES (AFP / File)

The inhabitants of the city took part in the ceremony, but "the population was exhausted," Mayor Abel Matchipata told AFP.

"The conflict has caused many casualties and many abuses, we have a lot of problems with the armed groups."

But, he said, "we have no choice but to accept the Khartoum agreements, we have to make concessions, that is the only way if we want peace. "

In 2017, MINUSCA – the UN mission in CAR – chased the UPC out of the city and Darbada became persona non grata.

But his men kept a low profile and continued to impose "taxes" on livestock and minerals, before resuming hostilities in May 2018, attacking police headquarters, church premises and several organizations. non-governmental organizations, according to a UN report.

"The appointment of Ali Darbada as a military adviser in the region where his men might have committed war crimes should not be used to give him the immunity of an investigation into the violations of the rights of the UPC, "said Lewis Mudge, director of Human Rights Watch (HRW) for Central Africa.

Darbada with some of his security personnel at the base of his move to Bokolobo. By FLORENT VERGNES (AFP / File)

promises

In the face of growing criticism, the authorities sought badurances.

In a joint statement issued six days after the Bambari ceremony, the UN and MINUSCA insisted that Darbada "has not been given an official role in security" for Bambari.

Chronology of the conflict in the Central African Republic. By Sabrina BLANCHARD (AFP)

"The security of the town of Bambari remains and will remain under the responsibility of the national authorities, with the support of MINUSCA," said the statement, according to which the mixed brigades "are not yet operational."

And Thursday, the Central African presidency said that the peace agreement "does not grant amnesty" and is "subject to the constitution".

The agreement "also attaches importance to the fight against impunity," he insisted.

But many wonder if the unusual cohabitation can last or if it will simply be exploited by militia leaders.

"There is a real risk that these new advisers or ministers will work to increase their military might and fund their armed groups," said Nathalia Dukhan of the US think tank Enough Project.