14 May 2008
Bangui — The signing on 9 May of a ceasefire between the government of Central African Republic and the only rebel group that had yet to join a national peace process has drawn mixed reactions from within the country.
The truce with the Armée populaire pour la restauration de la république et la démocratie (APRD), based in northwestern CAR, was signed in the Gabonese capital, Libreville, after a month of discussions with the Bangui government.
As well as a cessation of hostilities, the APRD has undertaken to restrict its fighters to their bases. The accord also paves the way for an amnesty, subject to a bill to be put before the national assembly.
"It is a step towards resolving the conflict," said Professor Mathias Morouba, who chairs both the Central African Human Rights Observatory and the country's Peace and Justice Commission. "People want things to change, they are still in anguish," he said, adding that the deal was just one part of the long-term solution to CAR's problems.
"It's good for the political settlement. But what will happen to those who lost relatives or goods during the rebellion? The government must take these people into account, otherwise we run the risk of creating new rebellions in the future," he said.
Toby Lanzer, the UN's humanitarian coordinator in CAR, described the latest ceasefire, which follows similar deals with two other rebel groups, as "the best sign yet that sustainable peace is possible in CAR's northwest. Tensions should now subside, [humanitarian] operations can expand, and more people can be helped."
The humanitarian needs in northwest CAR are immense, not just because of APRD activity and brutal reprisals by government forces (Too many enemies) but also because of the widespread presence of bandits. The lack of a properly functioning state has also contributed to the disintegration of most infrastructure.
Christophe Ndouba, a member of parliament for the northwestern town of Paoua, said it was too early to judge the weight of the APRD deal.
"People are still living in the bush, others in refugee camps in Chad. I think it is still too early for me to say that this accord will alleviate the suffering or improve the living conditions of the people," he told IRIN.
This view was shared by a humanitarian official who asked not to be named. "We have to wait for one or two more weeks. Even the people of Paoua are not aware of the signing of this accord; it is still too early to get our reactions."
Stanislas Bango, a political adviser to President François Bozizé, said the deal "was welcome because it will lead to a peace comprehensive peace accord. Peace will finally return to the country, which will allow the government to invest in development rather than war. With this accord, investors will come to the country and the population will benefit," he said.
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]
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