A/HRC/25/43 47. This is now no longer just a conflict between the former Séléka and the anti-balaka: every Muslim and every Christian has become a target because they are supposedly linked to one of the armed groups. 48. The longer the abuses by the former Séléka and the reprisals by the anti-balaka — and vice versa — go on, the wider the divide between the religious communities becomes. 49. In December 2012, an interfaith platform21 was established in response to an attempt by former President Bozizé to incite Christians to use violence against the Muslims by raising the spectre of the Islamization of the country.22 It still provides a framework for dialogue, allowing action to be taken to stem the tide of interreligious violence.23 50. The Community of Sant’Egidio has become involved, organizing the signing on 9 September 2013 of the Rome Appeal for the Central African Republic – an appeal for peace and national reconciliation that was signed by representatives of civil society, the Transitional National Council,24 the Government and religious groups. The signing of this document was followed by the signing of the eight-point Republican Pact.25 E. Discrimination on the basis of ethnic origin, “race” or nationality 51. Little information is available on this subject. The Central African Republic has not submitted a report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination since 1985 and the 2003 National Dialogue did not address the issue. Yet ethnic background has played a key role in the administration of power. Under the regime of General Kolingba, for example, members of his ethnic community, the Yakoma, made up 70 per cent of army personnel even though they represented only 5 per cent of the population and, according to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, they also dominated the machinery of public administration (A/48/18, para. 148). 52. Alongside such ethnic favouritism, de facto discrimination, while perhaps not intentional, has led to exclusion. Indeed, the dearth of government services in some parts of the country, especially in the north-east, where the population is mostly Muslim, has led to profound inequalities in terms of access to resources and services, constituting a major obstacle to the full enjoyment of many rights. The discrimination suffered by the inhabitants of that region is the basis of one of the demands of the UFDR, which includes many members of the Goula minority. 21 22 23 24 25 10 Its members are the Archbishop of Bangui, the President of the Islamic Council and the President of the Alliance of Evangelical Churches. Caritas, “La paix en République centrafricaine : un archevêque, un imam et un pasteur unissent leurs forces”, 28 November 2013, available at the following address: www.caritas.org/fr/2013/11/la-paixen-republique-centrafricaine-un-archeveque-un-imam-et-un-pasteur-unissent-leurs-forces. For instance, a visit was made to Bossangoa and Zéré, in September 2013, to meet members of the communities affected by the violence, anti-balaka and ex-Séléka, and to spread a message of peace. The Transitional National Council was established pursuant to Act No. 13.001 of 18 July 2013 on the Transitional Constitutional Charter. It has legislative powers and among other things, is required to develop and adopt a draft Constitution which will be submitted to the people for referendum. The eight points are: (1) the disarmament of militias and the return to the normal activity of the State; (2) the return of displaced persons and refugees to their homes and help with reintegration; (3) the rejection of violence as a means of gaining power; (4) constructive dialogue between the political parties and the rejection of confrontation; (5) the strengthening of institutions during a two-year transition period to prepare the country and its structures for representative democracy, to ensure full freedom for all citizens; (6) the fight against corruption and the protection of public and private property; (7) action for the common good in favour of the people; (8) continuation of the work of the Community of Sant’Egidio to promote peace and dialogue in Central Africa. GE.14-11122