A/HRC/30/59 Rampant corruption is severely hindering the development of the timber and diamond industries. 32. The power wielded by armed groups poses a real obstacle to the resumption of agropastoral activities and is seriously disrupting the trade in livestock and the supply of beef. Livestock farmers are also victims of assault and extortion in some regions. 4 33. The country’s public finances are in a state of almost complete chaos, and revenue is drying up. The Government has clearly established economic recovery as a priority, with a view to promoting wealth creation and improving people’s living conditions. It has taken steps to improve the social climate by ensuring that salaries and pensions are paid on a more or less regular basis in 2015. 34. The Republican Pact calls on the Government to introduce a comprehensive strategy for reconstruction and economic development that takes the most disadvantaged regions of the country into consideration, as well as a legitimate employment policy, particularly for young people, women and vulnerable p opulation groups. Such measures will be essential as a means of providing an alternative for young people and enabling them to reintegrate into their communities. Juvenile offenders who have been handed light sentences and those who have served their sentences should also benefit from reintegration measures. 35. The decision, taken at the meeting of members of the Kimberley Process on 26 June 2015, to allow the authorities to once again export diamonds mined in the west of the country should generate new tax revenues, which are sorely needed. Measures must be taken to ensure that the country’s mineral resources are soundly managed, so that henceforth the funds created by those resources will feed the State coffers rather than trafficking and corruption. 36. The international community has come to the aid of the Central African Republic since the start of the crisis, but the assistance given is not sufficient to provide effective relief. III. Human rights situation A. Protection of civilians: violations committed by armed groups 37. Despite the agreement on the cessation of hostilities signed on 23 July 2014, armed groups, particularly the anti-balaka and former Séléka fighters, continue to operate relatively freely throughout much of the country and co mmit atrocities against civilian populations. The main allegations of human rights violations brought to the attention of the Independent Expert include violations of the right to life, acts of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, arbitrary arrest, ra pe, racketeering and extortion, and violations of the right to education, the right to health and the right to food. Taking advantage of the limited presence of the State, armed groups exert de facto authority and plunder the country’s natural resources. 38. The conflict has exacerbated intercommunal violence. The anti -balaka and/or the former Séléka fighters continue to intimidate, threaten and attack individuals and local communities because of their alleged collaboration or affiliation with the rival arm ed group. These abuses have intensified during the migration of the Fulani herders and in the context of conflicts over access to land and water resources. __________________ 4 GE.15-12489 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, “Enquête sur la transhumance après la crise de 2013-2014 en République centrafricaine”, p. 6. http://foodsecuritycluster.net/sites/default/files/FAO_Rapport_Transhuman ce_fev2015_final.pdf. 9/22