CAR: National Reconciliation Pact

National Reconciliation Conference, held in Bangui from 26 February to 5 March 1998
The parties signatory to this Pact:

In view of the Constitution of 14 January 1995,

Noting the grave political and military crisis which shook the Central African Republic in 1996 and 1997,

Recognizing that this crisis nearly engulfed the entire country in chaos, which would have entailed incalculable consequences for the preservation of national unity and sovereignty,

Aware of the fact that the meeting on consensus-building and dialogue held in Bangui from 11 to 18 January 1997 rekindled the hopes of Central Africans that solutions to this crisis would be found,

Convinced of the commitment of the signatories to respect the conclusions of the Bangui Agreements and to strive to restore a genuine, lasting peace,

Gauging the seriousness of the socio-economic crisis, characterized by growing poverty, the breakdown of family and social ties, the decline in Central African purchasing power and food production and the emergence of famine and widespread malnutrition, which are sources of disturbances and social conflict,

Considering the upsurge of insecurity in Bangui and in the interior, owing to the proliferation of weapons and the phenomenon of highway banditry,

Convinced that only an effort by the entire national community, supported by the international community, can make it possible to find ways and means of restoring peace and security, a sine qua non of the effective resumption of socio-economic activities for peaceful, lasting development,

Considering the flagrant violation of human rights linked to political and military crises,

Noting the repeated violations of the commitments made by Central Africans to each other,

Convinced of the need to establish a definitive national reconciliation pact between all Central Africans so as to put an end to political, economic and social practices characterized by nepotism, tribalism, exclusion and poor governance,

Aware of the need to establish a Monitoring and Arbitration Committee responsible for settling any disputes that may arise from non-compliance with the provisions of this Pact,

In view of the relevant recommendations resulting from the work of the National Reconciliation Conference,

Have solemnly agreed as follows:

Article 1

The parties signatory to this Pact solemnly undertake to practise good governance, excluding nepotism, clanship, tribalism, political patronage and misappropriation of funds,

They also undertake to settle or help to settle, through dialogue and consensus-building, all disputes that may arise.

Article 2

The signatories solemnly undertake to use elections as the only legal means of access to government power and decide to ban the use of weapons and force as ways and means of access to government power. They renounce the use of the armed forces to destabilize a democratic regime and to sow terror in the hearts of the population in defiance of democratic principles, human rights and the national Constitution.

They strongly oppose all forms of dictatorship and call on the authorities to listen to the people and respect the rights of the minority.

Article 3

The signatories call on all Central Africans to unite in rebuilding the country, which has been destabilized politically and torn apart economically, culturally and socially.

Article 4

The parties signatory to this Pact undertake to launch a frontal attack on poverty, and to support the State in its quest for ways and means of restoring a sound national economy and equitably distributing resources, on the one hand and, on the other, in its efforts to improve the social sectors of education and health, while giving priority attention to the regular payment of wages, scholarships and pensions.

Article 5

The parties signatory to this Pact launch a strong appeal to the international community to assist the national and international forces of order in their sensitive mission to collect the weapons spread throughout the country and to restore order.

Article 6

The signatories undertake to work together to create the political, social and economic conditions necessary to prevent any violations of human rights.

Article 7

The parties signatory to this Pact decide to establish a Monitoring and Arbitration Committee to monitor the implementation of the undertakings set forth in this Pact and to serve as an arbitrator in any disputes that may arise.

They undertake to have recourse to the Committee in the case of non-compliance with the provisions of this Pact.

The composition, powers and functions of the Monitoring and Arbitration Committee are set forth as an annex to this Pact.

Article 8

The parties signatory to this Pact undertake to respect scrupulously the provisions contained therein.

DONE at Bangui on 5 March 1998

[Signed]

His Excellency Ange-Félix PATASSé
President of the Republic

Government National Assembly Judiciary

Armed Forces of the Central African Republic

Association of Mayors

Political parties