This Friday, July 16, on the occasion of the start of the new judicial year, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra announced the creation of the Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission.
More than 18 months after the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, the Central African Republic (CAR) is finally getting its of the judicial institution for its implementation. In a position of strength, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra reaches out to armed groups. The Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (CVJRR) will start meeting on Monday, July 19.
At the head of the Commission, the recognized lawyer of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Marie-Edith Douzima-Lawson. Douzima is known for defending the victims of the DRC's politico-military leader, Jean-Pierre Bemba, before the ICC. Without forgetting, of course, his long experience in arbitrations between victims of war crimes and their executioners. The lawyer is clearly an African figure of reconciliation, as much as of the fight against impunity.
President Touadéra took the time to make this choice, the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation having been violated by seven of its signatories. Indeed, on February 6, 2019, the majority of the leaders of the armed groups were present to sign this agreement. And barely a few months later, on the sidelines of the presidential election and very probably under the influence of François Bozizé, the armed groups decided to go back on their word and no longer recognize the agreement.
Terrible things have been happening for a few months in the Central African Republic, but as no Western media has yet shown the horrors of the civil / religious war that is taking place there, we are not yet entitled to "I am Central Africa", to emotions and changes in pp
- Erckō Shakur .. ☆ (@ErckoShakur) January 26, 2021
Sovereign choice or risky bet for Touadéra?
During its formation in December 2020, the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) brought together the country's major militias. This surprising alliance between the anti-Balaka and the Seleka, welcoming thousands of foreign fighters, shook the country. In March, it was confirmed that the former president of the CAR, François Bozizé, was the head of the CPC.
For more than four months, Central African civilians were driven from their towns and villages. Thousands have died. Following Minusca's intervention, the capital Bangui and its region were secured in time. This avoided the massacre of civilians and the fall of the state. Then, thanks to the offensive of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and their Russian allies of the paramilitary group Wagner, the regions invaded by the rebels were largely taken over.
Currently, President Touadéra therefore demonstrates his good faith, in respecting the terms of the 2019 agreement. However, it is in a very different context that the Head of State made this decision. Now three of the rebel groups have surrendered. As for the others, they are at bay. Although the United Nations tried to impose a UN reconciliation process, Touadéra refused. It was only this Friday that the decision was finally made. Will the elements of the CPC still at war resolve to follow the head of state?
That's what the president of the CAR seems to think, anyway. The choice to offer the rebels a chance for redemption is a risky bet. Some CPC leaders, such as Ali Darassa and Maxime Mokom, have already abdicated. Sidiki Abass is now dead and his lieutenants are in Chad. However, some, like François Bozizé and Mahamat al-Khathim, want at all costs to continue a war that never ends.
In 🇨🇫 #Central African , President Touadéra launched Friday, July 16, the judicial reopening. During his speech, he mentioned the creation of the Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (CVJRR) whose eleven commissioners were sworn in at the beginning of July. pic.twitter.com/lFQyBad7F1
- 45 Seconds Africa (@AfricaSeconds) July 17, 2021