UN Expert Raises Grave Concerns over Human Rights in Central African Republic
The human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) has raised grave concerns, according to an independent UN expert. Yao Agbetse, the UN Independent Expert on the Central African Republic, has urged for political dialogue and the establishment of a new climate of trust in the country.
Agbetse emphasized the urgent need for the Central African authorities to engage in a genuine political dialogue that aims to de-escalate the current tensions and divisions arising from the constitutional referendum. He stated that only through inclusive political dialogue can a framework to rebuild consensus be provided, as the military approach has shown its limitations.
The CAR has been plagued by conflict since 2012, with the fighting between the predominantly Christian anti-Balaka militia and the largely Muslim Séléka rebel coalition resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and leaving two-thirds of civilians dependent on humanitarian aid. Although there was a brief reduction in violence in 2015 and elections were held in 2016, the fighting has intensified once again.
Peace talks, facilitated by the African Union (AU) with UN support, began in early 2019 under the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in CAR. The agreement was reached in Khartoum and subsequently signed in CAR’s capital, Bangui.
Agbetse stressed the importance of creating a calmer political environment to enable the rescheduling of local elections, which have been indefinitely postponed. He called on the government to take all necessary measures to ensure an inclusive, transparent, fair, and democratic election, with the active participation of women and young people.
Furthermore, Agbetse urged the government to relaunch the implementation process of the 2019 Khartoum Agreement and the 2021 Luanda Joint Roadmap, as well as commit to the 217 recommendations of the Republican Dialogue from last year. These concrete political measures are crucial for encouraging armed groups to honor their commitments.
Border security is another pressing issue that requires the government’s attention, particularly in relation to Sudan. Armed groups such as the Coalition des Patriotes pour le Changement (CPC) and the Azandé Ani Kpi Gbé group in the South-East have been responsible for increasing attacks, creating an insecure climate. These attacks not only harm the economy but also lead to severe human rights violations.
Agbetse underscored that insecurity poses a significant obstacle to the restoration of state authority and increases the dependency on humanitarian aid. Thousands of refugees and asylum seekers have been forced to move within border regions due to the conflict in Sudan, which has caused social ramifications and a sharp rise in the prices of essential food items.
The majority of refugees are being hosted by local families, who require support in various forms. Agbetse called on the international community to increase support for humanitarian operations by funding the Humanitarian Response Plan.
Furthermore, the presence of explosive devices in the North-West region has endangered civilians, depriving them of basic humanitarian assistance. Thus, a combination of efforts on the humanitarian and development fronts is necessary to address the situation in CAR, as emphasized by Agbetse.
The human rights expert stresses the need for humanitarian responses to be accompanied by development actions aligned with a national development plan to ensure a comprehensive approach.
Special Rapporteurs and human rights experts are appointed by the Human Rights Council to monitor and report on specific country situations or thematic issues. They serve independently in their individual capacity and are not paid UN staff members.
In conclusion, the UN expert’s grave concerns over the human rights situation in the Central African Republic highlight the urgent need for political dialogue and the establishment of a new climate of trust. By engaging all stakeholders and implementing inclusive political measures, consensus can be rebuilt, and a framework for positive change can be established. The restoration of state authority, addressing border security issues, and providing support for refugees and asylum seekers are crucial steps towards promoting stability, peace, and respect for human rights in the CAR. The international community’s support, both in terms of funding for humanitarian operations and collaboration in development efforts, is imperative to address the complex challenges faced by the country.
