A/HRC/39/70 B. Challenges of coordinated action 84. The lasting restoration of peace will depend on the implementation of all the pillars of transitional justice, and on their complementarity and synchronization. The lack of simultaneous planning on these pillars has brought out certain weaknesses that were particularly visible in Bambari after the renewed violence. Coherent and coordinated action regarding criminal measures, investigation of the truth through dialogue, collective compensation and guarantees of non-recurrence through institutional reforms, the return of local government and the implementation of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programmes might have ended the crisis in Bambari once and for all. 85. The current coordination of institutional justice activities within United Nations bodies, the international community and the Government has weaknesses. In June, the Independent Expert acknowledged that MINUSCA could play a greater role in technical advice to the highest Central African authorities and the planning of the activities of partners around a programmatic approach to transitional justice. She stresses in particular the need to strengthen the technical capacities of MINUSCA to enable it to provide adequate support. Analysis of the action to follow up the Bangui Forum on National Reconciliation and the National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan should facilitate the drawing up of a roadmap and identify pilot areas. 86. The majority of Central African territory is still controlled by armed groups. The military option for reducing their influence that has been favoured so far should immediately be supplemented by strengthened civilian actions to respond to the expectations of the population. The initiation of reconstruction, speedy economic recovery and reconciliation programmes must not be postponed until calm has finally been restored. 87. All the actions in favour of a programmatic approach to transitional justice should focus on the interests of victims. The Independent Expert also recalls that adequate implementation of measures to protect victims and witnesses will ensure their participation in judicial proceedings, the operation of the Truth, Justice, Compensation and Reconciliation Commission and compensation programmes, and will foster reconciliation. 88. To the mechanisms to compensate for the wounds of the past can be added a preventive aspect of transitional justice to avoid a resurgence of violence. In 2015, the Central African Republic established a National Committee on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and all forms of Discrimination, the action plan 2017–2022 of which has been approved and could form part of the preventive framework of transitional justice. VI. Conclusions and recommendations A. Observations 89. The Central African Republic is encountering multiple challenges on its road to peace. In one year, the situation on the ground has deteriorated, with a proliferation of armed groups and an upsurge in violence, which again reached Bangui. This context brings out more than ever the urgent need for the authorities simultaneously to strengthen the civilian protection, humanitarian aid, peace initiatives and development. The Central African authorities have certainly made progress in recovering territory, but the current situation shows there to be a link between the resistance of armed groups to the return of State authority and their presence in areas rich in natural resources, which they exploit unlawfully. The State should, without delay and with the assistance of MINUSCA and international partners, re-establish and definitively set up the government and rule of law so long awaited by the population. The contempt for international humanitarian law by armed groups cannot remain without consequence for the criminal liability of the perpetrators of violence and their participation in the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation. The armed groups at the negotiating table must prove their sincerity and stop killing, looting and terrorizing the population. It is also essential to turn young people away GE.18-13342 15