Highlights
– Central African Republic (CAR) government and rebels sign peace treaty
– Despite internal and external challenges, agreement provides the best opportunity for peace in the CAR since fighting erupted in 2004
– Support from the international community and commitment by all parties to fully implement the peace agreement will provide stability to the CAR
On June 21, 2008, the Central African Republic (CAR) government signed a peace treaty with two of the country’s main rebel groups, the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) and the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR). The peace accord contains the possibility for the Democratic Front for the Central African People (FDPC) to sign at a later date. The peace agreement builds on previous pacts the CAR government has signed with the rebel groups individually. By bringing the rebel groups together to sign the same agreement, the government increases the chances of success since all rebel groups are offered the same deal.
The negotiations between the rebels and the government ultimately led to the final comprehensive agreement after the government consented to a general amnesty. The accord states that the rebel groups that sign the agreement will be given, “an amnesty for every fighter, for all activities related to the rebellions.”
Challenges in Implementation
The comprehensive peace agreement is a significant step forward in providing stability to the CAR, which has been plagued by violence and rebellions since gaining independence from France in 1960. However, previous efforts to end the current war, which began 2004, have failed to restore stability to the country. The most recent failure to achieve peace involved an April 2007 agreement between the government and the UFDR.
The first step in ensuring the success of this peace agreement is convincing the FDPC to join the APRD and UFDR in signing the peace accord. The African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), which have both stated they support the peace agreement, will need to pressure all three rebel groups as well as the government to ensure the peace accord is followed by all parties. The international community will also need to support demobilization and reintegration, either into the national army or civilian life, efforts. Additionally, the presence of the European Union Force Chad/CAR (EUFOR Chad/CAR) in northeastern CAR as both a stabilizing force and a protection force for civilians and refugees.
Beyond the challenges in implementing the peace accord between several parties lacking in trust, the ongoing regional conflicts could also disrupt the efforts to stabilize CAR. The most important external threat the CAR faces, which has led to the deployment of EUFOR Chad/CAR, is the ongoing proxy war between Chad and Sudan, which is itself a result of the ongoing conflict in Darfur. The current uncertainty regarding the peace process between Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which is located in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the CAR, is also a potential external threat.
Outlook
The inclusion of multiple rebel groups in the peace process, rather than unilateral agreements, provides the best opportunity yet for the resolution of the current conflict in the CAR. The successful implementation of the peace agreement will require all parties to agree to full implementation, including amnesty for all rebels willing to demobilize. The international community’s role in supporting the peace process, including using the threat of war crimes charges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an incentive for all parties to fully implement the agreement, will serve as a powerful force in encouraging a lasting peace.
While only a small part of the larger conflicts in Darfur and northern Uganda, a peaceful CAR would have a positive impact on the regional security situation. With all parties acting in good faith, along with support from the AU and UN, peace is within reach of the CAR.
