Corporate report

Central African Republic (CAR) - in-year update July 2015

Published 15 July 2015

The security and humanitarian situation in CAR remains grave, and continues to have a severe impact on the civilian population and their human rights. The UK government underlined its concerns in the statement delivered during the interactive dialogue on the Central African Republic at the UN’s Human Rights Council in March.

There have been some signs of improvement in the overall security situation, which we welcome. The UN now has a network of five field offices in CAR and continues to expand its presence. MINUSCA, the UN peacekeeping operation, has deployed nearly 9,000 military personnel and 1,100 UN police. The UK has continued its strong support for both UN and EU efforts to improve the political and security situation in CAR. The UN Security Council agreed a mandate for a troop uplift in MINUSCA, and the MINUSCA mandate was renewed for another 12 months. An EU Military Advisory Mission (EUMAM CAR) deployed on 15 March 2015 following the drawdown of EUFOR CAR (the EU bridging mission). EUMAM CAR provides the government of CAR with expert advice, with a view to reforming the military to turn it into a professional army, which is democratically accountable and representative of the entire nation.

From January to March, the CAR government implemented a nationwide consultation process that culminated in the Bangui Forum, which was intended to lay the foundation for peace, reconciliation and inclusive elections. The forum was held in May 2015 and led to the adoption of a republican pact laying the foundations of CAR institutions and an agreement calling for armed groups’ disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration. The UK welcomed the positive outcomes of the Bangui Forum, in particular the agreement signed between the transitional government, the UN, and the different armed groups relating to the release of all children from the ranks of the armed groups. It is important that these children are offered assistance and helped to reintegrate into society. The signing of an agreement on disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration was also an important outcome. It is vital that the international community ensures that the commitments made by the signatories are implemented and supported through adequate resourcing, and that free, transparent and inclusive elections are held in due course.

Banditry, kidnapping and violence against civilians have continued in the reporting period. Four kidnappings took place within a week in January, including two foreign humanitarian workers, a CAR cleric, and the Minister for Youth and Sport, Armel Ningatoloum Sayo. At least three attempted abductions were also reported, including against the Minister for Education in the North of the country. Religious and inter-communal tensions remain high and continue to lead to violent clashes in a number of cities. Some communities remain trapped in enclaves and at risk of sectarian violence.

Violence, instability and insecurity have continued to have a huge impact on basic livelihoods during the last six months, precluding any substantial economic recovery. The lack of economic prospects for young people in CAR contributes to perpetuating armed group recruitment and cycles of violence. The international community and key financial institutions need to ensure a sustainable transition to recovery by increasing revenue generation and employment opportunities in CAR.

Armed groups continue to perpetrate abuses, including sexual violence against women and children, extrajudicial killings and the recruitment and use of child soldiers. Clashes between anti-Balaka and ex-Seleka armed groups, particularly in Kouango and Bambari, led the departure of up to 50,000 people to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Reconstruction of the justice sector is still in its infancy. Police capacity, whilst improving, continues to be limited and this, along with the absence of a functioning judicial system, means that little action has been taken to halt or address human rights abuses and bring the perpetrators to justice. We hope that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court’s investigation (launched in 2014) into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the rebel groups since 2012 will help to address this. We welcome efforts by the CAR government and the UN to set up a Special Criminal Court to address war crimes and crimes against humanity committed since 2012. We also welcome MINUSCA’s implementation of Urgent Temporary Measures and, in particular, the growing number of arrests of armed group members.

The humanitarian situation in CAR continues to be a cause for deep concern. More than 2.7million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 500,000 internally displaced people and 464,414 CAR refugees in neighbouring countries.

The UK remains one of the largest humanitarian donors to CAR, providing £51m through NGOs and international organisations to assist CAR populations and CAR refugees since 2013. This money has supported vulnerable populations and mitigated the impact of forced displacement and deprivation of livelihoods.

The UK participated in the seventh meeting of the International Contact Group for CAR in Brazzaville. The meeting was constructive and underlines the international community’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful solution to the CAR crisis.