In the Central African Republic (CAR), President Faustin-Archange Touadéra recently expressed his satisfaction with the progress made in the country’s political and pacification process. During a follow-up meeting on the Khartoum agreements, the Head of State highlighted the major progress that has been made since the signing of these agreements in 2019.
The Khartoum agreements, concluded between the Central African government and 14 armed groups, aimed to put an end to the conflicts which had ravaged the country for several years. According to President Touadéra, the dissolution of nine of the fourteen signatory organizations is tangible proof of the progress made in the pacification of the country.
However, despite these advances, certain armed factions have not disarmed and continue to sow insecurity in the border regions of the north and east of the CAR. The Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) recently claimed responsibility for two deadly attacks against the army, demonstrating the persistence of the security challenges facing the country.
On the political level, the Central African president referred to the Republican dialogue of March 2022 as an important step in the national reconciliation process. However, he did not mention the controversial constitutional referendum in July, which resulted in a postponement of local elections until 2024. He also called for increased financial support from the international community to consolidate the progress made.
Despite the absence of mention of the new constitution in the final communiqué of the meeting, the participants highlighted the significant efforts made in terms of demobilization-reintegration. More than 4,800 combatants were supported by the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Repatriation (DDRR) program, which constitutes a significant step forward in building lasting peace in the CAR.
However, these conclusions have been criticized by some members of the Central African opposition, who consider them to be disconnected from reality on the ground. The unstable security situation and political challenges persist, and many international actors continue to closely monitor developments in the CAR.
In conclusion, although progress has been made in the political and pacification process in the Central African Republic, many challenges remain. Consolidating peace and stability will require continued commitment from both the Central African government and the international community. Continuing dialogue, disarmament and reintegration efforts will be crucial to guaranteeing a secure and prosperous future for all Central Africans.