A UN expert today welcomed the efforts of the Government of the Central African Republic to extend security to significant parts of the country, while highlighting remaining challenges beyond urban areas.
"Despite progress, daily insecurity persists due to armed groups entrenched in remote regions, particularly forests and mining sites," said Yao Agbetse, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic, in a statement at the end of a 10-day visit to the country.
Speaking about recent incidents, Agbetse referred to the attack on the village of Nzakoundou in the Lim-Pendé prefecture, where the 3Rs group allegedly targeted FACA checkpoints, resulting in casualties and civilian deaths. Condemning the violence, he stressed the importance of holding perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable.
"The use of explosive devices in various prefectures has further aggravated the situation, causing civilian casualties, with children being particularly affected, and disrupting essential activities such as schooling and agricultural activities," the expert said. He urged support for demining efforts and called on technical and financial partners to provide assistance to UNMAS and integrate demining specialists into MINUSCA.
Agbetse stressed the need for coherent training, strategic deployment and effective command within defence and security forces to address broader security concerns. He also underscored the importance of ensuring the accountability of private military and security companies, particularly with regard to human rights and international humanitarian law.
While acknowledging the Government's efforts under the APPR-CAR and the Luanda road map, the expert highlighted remaining challenges in the areas of decentralisation, justice, security sector reform and reconciliation. He underlined the importance of implementing the Republican Dialogue recommendations to advance the peace and reconciliation process to pave the way for local elections.
Agbetse also noted that a significant number of Sudanese asylum-seekers and Central African returnees were seeking refuge in the north-east of the Central African Republic, as well as Chadian refugees in the north-west.
"I urge the Government and the international community to work together to facilitate safe and sustainable returns, with an emphasis on long-term support and empowerment," he said.
The expert also condemned violations committed by security forces against civilians and called for accountability, including for violations committed by bilateral forces.
"Victims' needs must be taken into account and existing mechanisms for fighting impunity must be strengthened and fully effective, including the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission. Mr. Agbetse calls on the international community to provide for a reparation fund for victims.
With regard to children's rights and education, the expert recommended integrating a national strategy for child protection into the National Development Plan 2024-2028 and prioritising initiatives to rebuild educational infrastructure and combat gender-based violence. He also urged reforms in vocational training to promote youth entrepreneurship and strengthen partnerships with the business sector.
"I urge the Government to take the lead in developing the National Development Plan 2024-2028 and integrating all national priority themes in order to promote justice, peace, reconciliation, stability and sustainable development in the Central African Republic," the independent expert said, and called for increased support from technical and financial partners to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the CAR.
