Central African Republic: Civilians bear the brunt of decades of violence and abuses
Local and foreign armed groups in the CAR are still killing, abducting, torturing and raping civilians, as well as burning houses and looting property, Amnesty International said in a report released today.
Despite peace agreements and a fledgling Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration process, armed conflict continues to ravage the country resulting in civilian deaths and mass internal displacement.
Central African Republic: Consolidated Appeal 2011 Mid-Year Review
In the midst of a still-fragile regional context, the Central African Republic (CAR) has achieved a significant step towards peace consolidation, with the peaceful holding of national elections in early 2011. In spite of the many claims put forward by the opposition regarding the legitimacy of the parliamentary election results, incumbent President Bozize was re-elected for a second term without major incidents. However, this important achievement has not yet brought the anticipated improvements for the vast majority of the CAR population.
In the north-west where the majority of the internally displaced people are located, little progress has been made towards building an environment conducive to durable returns. Similarly, CAR refugees in both Cameroon and Chad await further guarantees before returning to their home country. Whilst a comprehensive reintegration strategy has been agreed by the Government and its partners, no concrete steps have yet been taken in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process, in spite of the strong will of the Government to do so.
Editorial : un pas de plus vers l’approche « Unis dans l’Action »
La communauté international mobilisée pour la RCA
UNDAF + 2012-2016 : Trois axes prioritaires de consolidation de la paix et d’aide au développement de la République centrafricaine pour les cinq prochaines années
De l’UNDAF 2007-2011 à l’UNDAF + 2012-2016
CCA, UNDAF+, DSRPII et OMD
Déclaration d’engagement de l’Equipe de Pays du SNU en République centrafricaine
Introduction du vaccin contre les infections à pneumocoques dans le programme de vaccination systématique en RCA
L’UNHCR appelle chacun à s’engager pour la cause des réfugiés en Centrafrique
Formation des femmes en techniques de plaidoyer pour la mobilisation de ressources
Mme Margaret Vogt, nouvelle Représentante Spéciale du Secrétaire Général de l’ONU en RCA
Dr Christine Mbonyingingo, nouvelle Coordonnatrice Pays de l’ONUSIDA en RCA
Des caméras au service de l’éducation à la citoyenneté et à la culture de paix
Une approche concertée de promotion de la paix
BINUCA s’engage dans « La longue marche de la RCA vers la paix »
World Bank provides US$ 7 million for Food Response Project
UN Humanitarian Air Service in jeopardy
Background and security
Clashes in the north west of CAR
After suspending their participation in the Inclusive Political Dialogue, several clashes between the Popular army for the restoration of democracy (APRD) and government forces have been reported in the north west of the country. Fighting reportedly took place on 8 August near Ngaoundaye, on 12 August near Man, and on 13 and 14 August between Ouandago and Kabo, though the identity of the rebels in this last skirmish was not confirmed. Continue Reading »
Radhika Coomaraswamy, Secretary General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflicts concluded on Saturday a six-day mission to assess the conflict’s impact on children in CAR and Chad.
After a two day visit to Chad, Radhika Coomaraswamy came to CAR to meet young victims of abduction, and rebels suspected of recruiting child soldiers. She met with women communities, internally displaced people (IDPs), and victims of the conflict and of coupeurs de routes (Zaraguinas). Among the victimes, the SRSG met a young girl abducted by Coupeurs de Route two years ago in a neighbouring village. She was only liberated in March this year, when the Government forces attacked the bandits’ camp in Bilakaré, between Paoua, Bokaranga and Bozoum. By that time, her parents had fled violence, probably to Cameroun and she is now living with her displaced grandmother in Paoua.
However, despite the remaining insecurity, improvements have been achieved through the peace agreements signed between the Government and the Movement of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) last year and with the Popular Army for Unity and Democracy (APRD) last month. Continue Reading »
(IRIN) – The signing on 9 May of a ceasefire between the government of Central African Republic and the only rebel group that had yet to join a national peace process has drawn mixed reactions from within the country.
The truce with the Armée populaire pour la restauration de la république et la démocratie (APRD), based in northwestern CAR, was signed in the Gabonese capital, Libreville, after a month of discussions with the Bangui government.
As well as a cessation of hostilities, the APRD has undertaken to restrict its fighters to their bases. The accord also paves the way for an amnesty, subject to a bill to be put before the national assembly. Continue Reading »
On Friday May 9th, the Central African Republic Government and the Popular Army for Unity and Democracy (APRD) signed a much awaited cease fire and peace agreement in Libreville, Gabon. In presence of Gabon’s President Bongo Ondimba, and the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, François Lonseny Fall, both parties agreeded to an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Jean-Jacques Demafouth, recently appointed political head of the APRD, declared that the Government had committed to granting a general amnesty and “an end to all legal prosecutions currently in progress” against APRD rebels. Instead, they will stay in camps “pending their disarmament, demobilisation or integration into the army.” The fate of exiled former President Ange-Felix Patassé himself remains unclear. Regarded as the driving force behind the APRD by the Government of the Central African Republic, he was sentenced in 2006 to 20 years’ hard labour for his part in the rebel movement. Continue Reading »
Important achievements have been made in the inclusive political dialogue initiated at the end of 2007 to put an end to the recurrent violence in the Central African Republic. Over the last three months, the dialogue’s Preparatory Committee (CPDPI) has managed to bring together all major political and military actors as well as reach consensus on the need to find a political solution to the country’s divisions.
All rebel movements, including the Popular Army for Democratic Restoration (APRD), which only joined the CPDPI last month, have committed to sit with the government, opposition parties and civil society in order to open a constructive dialogue. The committee’s final document will set general conditions for the dialogue and will be officially delivered to President François Bozizé in the coming days. This hand-over will mark the end of the preparatory stage and the beginning of the actual dialogue. Continue Reading »
The UNICEF representation in the Central African Republic has just published their monthly report for November 2007. It contains an excellent overview on the current humanitarian, political and security situation, as well as a description of UNICEF’s projects in CAR. Continue Reading »
Responding to persistent pockets of insecurity in the Central African Republic, the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) will provide over $800,000 to forge a more inclusive political dialogue within the country. The project, called the Inclusive Political Dialogue, makes CAR the second country to be awarded PBF funding under emergency provisions and the fourth country to win funding overall. The Inclusive Political Dialogue will bring the government, opposition parties and armed groups together for internationally-mediated negotiations before the end of the year. Continue Reading »
The United Nations Country Team in the Central African Republic will sends its first one-week assessment mission to the troubled Ngaoundaye region in the extreme north-west of the country on Monday 24 September. A team of twelve, including staff from UNDP, OCHA, UNICEF, UNHCR and a photographer, will assess and document the humanitarian situation in this former development model region.
Since 2006 the Ngaoundaye, Bocaranga, Paoua triangle has become a strong-hold of the APRD rebels. Fighting between CAR’s presidential guard and the rebels has displaced large parts of the population of over 50,000 in this area. At least 1,700 houses have been burnt in the last months and an estimated 8,500 people have lost their home. Many have fled to bordering Cameroon. Any remnants of development projects from the 1990′s have by now been destroyed. Schools, health posts and water pumps have been looted or are defunct. Continue Reading »
(OCHA, New York, 14 September 2007): The entire population of some 12,000 people has now fled from their homes in the area between the towns of Markounda and Silambi, in the north of the Central African Republic (CAR) on the border with neighbouring Chad, according to the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for CAR, Toby Lanzer.
For months, civilians have been caught between various armed factions, including state and non-state actors from CAR and Chad. In late August, reports from the region made it clear that, following a particularly acute period of violence, the population had escaped into the bush. A United Nations mission, led by Mr. Lanzer, traveled to the Markounda-Silambi axis in the Ouham prefecture 500 kilometres or twelve hours north of the capital, Bangui, from 7 to 10 September. Continue Reading »
The Human Rights Watch team that visited the Central African Republic in February and March this year has now released their comprehensive assessment of the human rights situation in the country.
The report “documents the human rights abuses and breaches of international humanitarian law being committed in northern CAR and describes the make-up, origins, and aims of the most significant rebel groups. The Popular Army for the Restoration of the Republic and Democracy (Armée populaire pour la restauration de la République et la démocratie, APRD) is active in the northwestern provinces of Ouham, Ouham-Pendé, and Nana-Grébizi. The Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (Union des forces démocratiques pour la rassemblement, UFDR) is most active in remote northeastern provinces of Bamingui-Bangoran and Vakaga.” Human rights abuses committed by the FACA and the Presidential Guard are reported in detail.
During their stay in the Central African Republic, Reuters journalists produced a fascinating 8 minute video feature on the APRD rebels in the Paoua area. Their footage includes APRD soldiers and child soldiers training and explaining their motives. Best video on the rebellion in north-eastern CAR so far.
In late 2006 and early 2007, the UFDR militant group rose to prominence in the northeast of the CAR. Conflict has since spread from Birao to the town of Mouka in the south, and to Ndélé in the west. As a result, a rising number of civilians have been displaced. The villages of Ouanda- Djallé, Gordil and Tiringoulou were particularly badly affected by the violence. Continue Reading »
The Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team (HDPT) unites all organizations working to alleviate the humanitarian and development crisis in the Central African Republic: United Nations agencies, the Red Cross Movement, NGOs and other organizations. For more information, visit About HDPT CAR or email us at info[at]hdptcar.net
Interviews with Dr Ione
Dr Ione describes her incredible experiences in the Central African Republic. A thrilling eye-witness account of the country’s history.
Highlights
Radhika Coomaraswamy, Secretary General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflicts concluded on Saturday a six-day mission to assess the conflict’s impact on children in CAR and Chad.
(IRIN) – The signing on 9 May of a ceasefire between the government of Central African Republic and the only rebel group that had yet to join a national peace process has drawn mixed reactions from within the country.
On Friday May 9th, the Central African Republic Government and the Popular Army for Unity and Democracy (APRD) signed a much awaited cease fire and peace agreement in Libreville, Gabon. In presence of Gabon’s President Bongo Ondimba, and the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, François Lonseny Fall, both parties agreeded to an immediate cessation of hostilities. 
Responding to persistent pockets of insecurity in the Central African Republic, the 
The United Nations Country Team in the Central African Republic will sends its first one-week assessment mission to the troubled Ngaoundaye region in the extreme north-west of the country on Monday 24 September. A team of twelve, including staff from UNDP, OCHA, UNICEF, UNHCR and a photographer, will assess and document the humanitarian situation in this former development model region.
(OCHA, New York, 14 September 2007): The entire population of some 12,000 people has now fled from their homes in the area between the towns of Markounda and Silambi, in the north of the Central African Republic (CAR) on the border with neighbouring Chad, according to the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for CAR, Toby Lanzer.
The Human Rights Watch team that visited the Central African Republic in February and March this year has now released their comprehensive assessment of the human rights situation in the country.
