A/HRC/33/63
26.
On 7 June, Prime Minister Sarandji delivered his general policy speech before the
National Assembly. His policy is structured around three pillars: security, the disarmament
of armed groups and national reconciliation. The Independent Expert notes that these
priorities tally with the guidelines laid down at the Bangui Forum and, in particular, the
disarmament agreements concluded.
27.
The Bangui Forum monitoring committee, which was created in May 2015 to
oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Republican Pact for Peace,
National Reconciliation and Reconstruction adopted at the conclusion of the Forum,
remained largely invisible during the transition. In his keynote speech, the Prime Minister
pledged to create an interministerial committee responsible for implementing the Forum’s
recommendations. The Independent Expert urges that action be taken in this regard without
delay.
B.
Security context
28.
The security situation in the country is still characterized by the strong presence of
armed groups throughout the territory, the threat they pose to civilians and displaced
persons living in camps or enclaves, intercommunity tensions, transhumance-related issues,
power struggles within armed factions, the widespread circulation of weapons, including
weapons other than firearms, crime, the absence of State authorities and the marginalization
of the eastern part of the country.
29.
Transhumance continues to give rise to violence, as Fulani herders are unable to use
the transhumance corridors initially marked out for security reasons. This leads to clashes
between arable farmers and livestock breeders who take up arms or seek the protection of
armed groups for their flocks.
30.
The murder of a Muslim taxi driver in Bangui on 26 September 2015 sparked an
outbreak of violence the like of which had not been seen since early 2014. On 28
September, nearly 700 detainees escaped from Ngaragba prison in Bangui, including some
high-profile detainees, and the next day 50 detainees escaped from the Bouar detention
centre.
31.
The PK-5 enclave witnessed scenes of intercommunity violence on 16 and 17
October, which had been orchestrated by anti-balaka or ex-Séléka supporters. On 26
October, a delegation from the ex-Séléka faction, Union pour la Paix en Centrafrique
(Union for Peace in Central Africa) (UPC), from Bambari was attacked in Bangui, where it
had come at the invitation of the transitional Government to take part in consultations.
Three Christian civilians were reportedly killed in retaliation and the situation remained
extremely tense between the two communities for several days.
32.
The security situation improved from November 2015 to May 2016 with a
significant decline in large-scale attacks against civilians and the end of the transition
period. On 14 April, the President began a series of discussions with the leaders of the
armed factions in order to keep the channels of communication open and to pave the way
for a national programme of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation,
funded by international partners. However, in late June, the Independent Expert noted that
the discussions had not led to the conclusion of clear agreements on disarming armed
groups and the dismantling of militias.
33.
In 2015, 1,151 incidents targeting humanitarian actors were recorded, including
attacks on humanitarian convoys, attacks and threats against humanitarian personnel or
persons receiving assistance from them and the looting of humanitarian assets. On 18 May
2016, an attack on a convoy belonging to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Koui, in the
prefecture of Ouham-Pendé, resulted in the death of a driver and forced the organization to
6
GE.16-12727
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents