On 25 April, the Preparatory Committee for the Inclusive Political Dialogue (PCIPD) handed out its conclusions to President François Bozizé, initiating the 45 day period to organize the actual dialogue.
On this occasion, François Lonseny Fall, the UN Special Representative to the General Secretary, congratulated President Bozizé for the political will he demonstrated during the preparation phase and for his constant support to the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) who worked with the PCIPD. Mr Fall also reiterated the “UN determination to pursue its efforts in this important step in the life of the Central African nation”, which he hopes, “will encourage the rise of a lasting peace, necessary for a sustainable and appropriate development in the country.”
Officially set up in December, the Preparatory Committee united representatives from the state, the governmental majority, the opposition, civil society and the armed groups, who elaborated a consensual framework for an inclusive political dialogue. Three themes received special attention: (i) politics and governance, (ii) the security situation and armed groups, (iii) social and economic development. During these discussions, the participants defined the following national priorities:
- Good governance
- Strict respect for Human Rights
- Fight against impunity
- Lasting peace with all armed groups
Consolidating a precarious peace
On 24th April new fights between the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) were reported in Ndim, near CAR’s northwestern border with Chad and Cameroon. The government reported several wounded among the rebels but no casualties on any side. In spite of APRD’s participation to the preparation of the Inclusive Political Dialogue, such clashes have occured several times over the last month, illustrating the precarious nature of the informal truce in place in the north west.
In the north east, a peace agrement was signed in April 2007 between the government and the Union of Democratic Forces for Unification (UFDR). No major incident was reported over the last year, but demobilized rebels are still awaiting reintegration and political commitments from the government. Until such improvements are achieved, demobilization will not guarantee durable peace.
Tensions are as high as expectations in the preparation of the much awaited dialogue. Controversial disagreements between the government and its political and military opponents remain to be resolved and considerable concessions will have to be made if this dialogue is to be successful.
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