The political dialogue in CAR, currently coordinated by the Transitional CAR Government, the International Contact Group (ICG-CAR) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), was composed of a series of international meetings in order to support the dialogue and reconciliation process.
These interactions allowed the international community to craft a crisis management strategy that was defined into three stages: (i) the Brazzaville Forum for political dialogue; (ii) nation-wide consultations; and (iii) the CAR National Dialogue and Reconciliation Forum (Bangui Forum). In this context, and following the achievement of the first two stages, the Transitional Government and the international community hosted The Bangui Forum from 4th – 11th May 2015. Nation-wide Consultations that were held in order to capture the thoughts and contributions of the population addressed four key areas as major pillars to be dealt with during the Bangui Forum, namely: 1) Peace and Security, 2) Justice and Reconciliation, 3) Good Governance and 4) Socio-economic development. Consequently, the Forum was divided into four commissions to debate on the above mentioned thematic.
ACCORD partnered with ECCAS in supporting this event and took part in the proceedings of three key areas: Justice and Reconciliation, Good Governance, and Peace and Security. The Justice and Reconciliation commission that dealt with healing and transitional justice arrangements. The Good Governance commission debated on the feasibility of the upcoming election and the eligibility criteria for the future government of CAR. While the Peace and Security commission resulted in the signing of an agreement on principles of disarmament and demobilisation.
ACCORD has accompanied the reconciliation process in CAR through its mediation support provided to ECCAS as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the CAR Ministry of Reconciliation. As such, ACCORD has been active in providing process design expertise, conflict analysis and training.
The Bangui Forum is a crucial stage for the reconciliation process before the elections and constitutes the basis for consensus on key political and security issues that have been dividing the CAR society. As such, it is a crucial milestone that will set the framework for future dialogue and reconciliation initiatives in the country. ACCORD will continue its current support to both ECCAS and the CAR Transitional Government towards a durable and stable reconciliation and with the aim of strengthening the capacities for dialogue and mediation in Central African region.
