Bangui Declaration II : 04 February 2014 NEXT STEPS (Update to the Bangui declaration of the 7 October 2013) October 4-7 2013 the Alliance of Evangelical Churches and the Episcopal Conference in the Central African Republic (CAR) held a conference in Bangui on the current crisis in the country. At these conference church leaders, representing over 80 % of the Central African Population produced the Bangui Declaration called Breaking Indifference. The Bangui Declaration II is an update on the Bangui Declaration taking into account the changing situation in the country. Introduction During the last year the people of the CAR have been traumatized by brutal violence. A militarypolitical crisis has torn apart the social fabric of the country and has brought unimaginable pain, suffering and sorrow to the people. Background to the Current Situation 1 Socio-political disorder led a number Central Africans to enter into armed rebellion against the State. The rapid military advancement of the Seleka coalition forced the President to flee and caused a political regime change. This change was brought about by mainly Chadian-Sudanese mercenaries and disillusioned youth who joined the Seleka, as the movement advanced, and committed many atrocities (robbery, rape, looting, violence and murder) against civilians. They destroyed the administrative and economic infrastructure, the life of the nation, undermining social cohesion. Human rights were violated. Those that felt they had become victims because of the disintegration of the state, the silent complicity of politicians and the tardy mobilization of the international community, have taken the law into their own hands and organized self-defence movements in an effort to protect what little remained. This is not a new or recent phenomenon. The anti-balaka are known by several names. They appeared in the 1990s to fight highway robbers called Zaraguinas and have also been fighting the heavily armed Chadian Mbarara and Houda herdsmen in the northwest who did not respect the transhumance corridors and stole cattle from local farmers and Fulani Central Africans, and grazed their livestock in the fields of local farmers. The confrontation between Seleka and anti-balaka has started a cycle of reprisal in which the civilian population have fallen victim. We condemn this violence, whatever its origin. Moreover we do not accept the amalgam of labelling of anti-balaka as Christian militia. Indeed the anti-balaka are the expression of exasperation, with the ongoing atrocities, from a part of the population - mainly young men - that witnessed multiple abuses by Seleka rebels. However, we reiterate that all anti-balaka are not Christians and that all Christians are not anti-balaka. It is the same for ex-seleka and Muslims. Incorrect terminology that labels anti-balaka "Christian militias" must be corrected. This amalgam 1 Based upon parts of the Episcopal Conference of CAR (CECA) Pastoral Letter 8/01/2014 Reconstruisons ensemble Notre Paix Dans La Paix! 1
propagated by national and international media has given a religious connotation to a crisis that is in its core political and military 2. International intervention 3 Immersed in this unprecedented crisis, we have been shown our own limits and our inability to resolve the problem by ourselves. Thanks to the support of the international community and the continued assistance provided by the Multinational Force for Central Africa (FOMAC), the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution (2127) (2013) concerning the Central African Republic enabled the deployment of additional peacekeeping troops (MISCA) with the support of the French operation Sangaris. We express the gratitude of the Central African people to those who committed themselves even unto death to restore peace and serenity. We honour the professionalism of these soldiers committed to restoring security and public order where the state has failed and sectarian tensions continue to threaten society. We recognize that this mission for security and peace in the CAR is difficult. However, a number of incidents adequately show the ambiguity of the participation of Chadian troops in this international peacekeeping force. We ask for a proper investigation into these events and relevant consequences to be taken. For over a decade the military/political relations between Chad and CAR have caused Central Africans to be wary of the Chadian army and to consider it a threat. We welcome the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 2134 of January 28, 2014, authorising the deployment of a European military force to support the MISCA and the French operation Sangaris. Our gratitude also goes to European donors for their financial commitment in Brussels on January 20, 2014 and to the African Union in Addis Ababa on February 1, 2014 in favour of the people of CAR. We also express our sincere appreciation to the United States of America for their financial support to the operations of the MISCA and Sangaris. Risks and threats of religious conflict 4 We welcome the concern from the international community towards us. We are benefitting from the efforts of humanitarian workers who bravely face danger to help our displaced families. However important this assistance may be, the solution to the crisis will not happen without the Central Africans themselves. It is therefore appropriate that each citizen bears their share of responsibility in this crisis that has plunged the country into chaos and made us opponents of one another. Political games and clinging to selfish interests have deprived our society of human values and respect for individuals created in the image of God (cf. Gen. 1: 26). What do we do in this time of crisis? The temptation for revenge is great. But as Christians we are called to reflect God's light in our political, economic and social engagements. Our faith commits us to fight for the sanctity of life and the promotion of human dignity. We deplore the fact that Muslims correctly or incorrectly accused of complicity with Seleka have been delivered 2 Cf. Press Conference of Evangelical Alliance in CAR 10/12/2013 «Conference de Presse (2) Declaration Liminaire. 3 Idem. 4 Idem. 2
to mobs and executed without reason. Life is sacred, Thou shalt not kill (Deut. 5: 17). May justice be done according to the principles of the law! We need to engage in a battle for human dignity and social cohesion. We need to commit ourselves to the struggle for national unity. We need to enter into an endeavour for brotherhood among the Central African peoples. We need to enter into a process of forgiveness that leads to reconciliation and healing; a process of forgiveness. However that does not prevent the application of justice. Various initiatives of the Church in collaboration with the Islamic community Church leaders have engaged in a diversity of actions aiming to quell interreligious tension. An interfaith platform of leaders from the Catholic, Protestant and Muslim communities has been created that continues to work towards easing tensions; These leaders have made calls for restraint on national and international radio, Public meetings involving both Christians and Muslims to convey messages of forgiveness and reconciliation have been held; Religious leaders have focused sermons and homilies mainly on messages of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation; Christian and Muslim youth have taken initiatives to jointly put this work into action in each community; Meetings with pastors and imams have been held in certain neighbourhoods, and plans have been made to extend these actions to all districts of Bangui and throughout the country; In several areas Christian churches have welcomed and lodged Muslims to take them out of mob justice. The future of the small Muslim minority in our country will not be at stake when peace and security returns by the grace of God because Muslims and Christians are part of the same biological families and are all sons of Abraham. Road map to exit the crisis 5 We welcome the election of Ms. Catherine SAMBA PANZA as interim President and duly note the nomination of Mr. André NZAPAYEKE as Prime Minister of the interim government which has been formed. We urge the authorities of the transitional government and the international community to continue to work towards the stabilisation, national reconciliation and unity on the following lines: Security domain The immediate and full application of the UN Security Council Resolutions 2127 (2013) and 2134 (2014) on CAR. These plans to end to the crisis respond largely to the security needs in the country. The immediate raising of the number of international troops to the minimum of 10,000 and their deployment in the capital and the interior to secure peace and stability for all. The immediate revision and reconsideration of the presence of Chadian troops within MISCA for reasons of complacency and complicity to Chadian mercenaries within Seleka who are responsible for looting, rape, murder and war crimes. Denials by Chadian authorities of these facts have exacerbated the tension towards the Chadian community in the country. The transformation of the MISCA into UN peacekeepers. 5 Based upon emails (cf. note 4) and pastoral letter (cf. note 1) 3
The rapid and uncompromising disarmament of ex-seleka, Anti-Balaka militias and anybody in possession of arms in the capital and in the interior. The implementation of the DDRR programme. The implementation of the Security Sector Reform (SSR). The rapid deployment of international troops throughout the country and extended disarmament operations simultaneously undertaken. The rapid repatriation of all Chadian and Sudanese mercenaries to their countries of origin. The regular national Armed Forces (FACA, Gendarmerie, and Police) should be reinstated without delay and, in synergy with the international troops, be deployed throughout the country. Check points and security patrols should be established all along the corridor of the National Road 1 that links CAR to the Cameroonian border, in order to allow supplies to reach the country. Security conditions should be created conducive to the provision of humanitarian assistance to people in need. Humanitarian domain Humanitarian aid is still insufficient since the magnitude of the disaster affects almost the entire population of the country. There is an urgent need for food, medicine and the rebuilding of social structures like healthcare, electricity, water and food provision. The distribution of humanitarian aid among the population should be done very carefully and must be well supervised. The return of the many internally and externally displaced people should be processed quickly and orderly and must be well supervised. They need assistance in the reconstruction of burned or ransacked houses. Political domain The creation of appropriate conditions for Presidential and Parliament elections within 12 or 18 months. The promotion and supervision of good governance in a new government by men and women of integrity. Rapid and thorough consolidation of relations with neighbouring countries, especially Chad. The political actors need to develop a culture of truth and responsibility and to be accountable to the people for their actions. They must stop all kinds of instrumentalisation or manipulation of the youth and/or ethnic groups and/or religion for the purposes of gaining power. They should have the capacity of surpassing themselves, their personal interests and those of their supporters, in order attain the character of statesmen. Justice domain The establishment of an independent international committee to investigate human rights violations in CAR; The application of justice to all perpetrators of crimes and abuses whatever side of the conflict; Reparation and compensation for victims of the crisis; Legal action should be taken against apologists for a partition of the country. Economic domain Farmers and cattle keepers should rapidly receive aid to start the cycle of food production; Business men and women should acquire rapid access to microcredits to start the cycle of distribution of food, household commodities and all necessities for basic living; 4
The new government should be helped to pay salaries, pensions and grants to allow the recovery of the state infrastructure; The settlement of domestic debts with respect to economic operators and households would be a significant factor of economic revitalization. Social domain The social fabric of society is completely destroyed and interreligious antagonism is paramount in the hearts and the minds of the people. Therefore what we need is: Disarmament, of the hands, heart and mind; Promotion of a culture of truth, justice and peace; Promotion of dialogue between the followers of different religions that coexist in the country Rediscovery and promotion of human values and citizenship; Promotion of fraternal dialogue at all levels leading to tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation; Renewal of our hope in God and man through the work of the Christian Church and the Islamic Community (Umma); Resistance to moral decay (jealousy, corruption, hatred, passion, anger, etc.) Fighting systems of social exclusion based on religious and regional ethnicity; Respect for others in their physical integrity and the protection of property; The creation of a climate of calm by the media in order to establish a framework of social peace and of the coexistence of responsible citizens. Conclusion The crisis in our country needs a strong response from the international community. The state has collapsed, the social cohesion has been destroyed and ethnic and religious communities have been pitted against each other. We strongly appeal to all decision makers to let their hearts and minds act in favour of the Central African people according to our suggestions presented here. THE SIGNATORIES The Secretary General of the CECA The Secretary General of the AEC Abbot Cyriaque DOUMALO-GBATE Rev. Franco MBAYE BONDOÏ The President of the CECA The President of the AEC Bishop Dieudonné NZAPALAÏNGA Rev. Nicolas GUEREKOYA 5