At an informal meeting of the Central African Republic (CAR) configuration on 21 July, Member States received an update on the status of the upcoming national elections, progress on the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) process, and current security conditions throughout CAR.

Mr. Walter Kälin, Representative of the Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, briefed Member States on the need to consider the issue of internally displaced people (IDPs) within the peacebuilding framework of CAR.  This matter is of critical concern to the country due to its large IDP population.  Mr. Kälin, joined Ms. Sahle-Work Zewde, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) to CAR and head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in CAR (BINUCA), in clarifying the security situation and the advancement of the DDR process in each region of CAR. Finally, the Chair of the configuration, Ambassador Jan Grauls (Belgium) reasserted the PBC’s commitment to aiding CAR in its peacebuilding process, specifically in executing fair, peaceful, and transparent elections in the near future, and to mobilize the necessary funding to support this democratic process.  

Internally Displaced People and Peacebuilding
Recently returned from a trip to CAR where he participated in a workshop to create a legal framework in the country for issues related to internal displacement, Mr. Kälin informed Member States on the current situation of IDPs in CAR and their relevance to the peacebuilding efforts there.

Currently, there are approximately 200,000 IDPs in CAR, collectively embodying an important player in their country’s peacebuilding process. In order to accomplish its peacebuilding objectives, CAR’s government must assure the safety of this sizeable population.  Moreover, the successful reintegration of IDPs also serves as a key indicator of the restoration of trust between the government and the civilian population – an essential step in peacebuilding. 

CAR’s government recognizes the need to find durable solutions for the displaced in order for the DDR process to be successful and sustainable, Kälin reported. In pursuit of this goal, the government is committed to developing legal and constitutional frameworks to deal with displaced populations’ unique circumstances.  Demonstrating this commitment, the government adopted a timetable and action plan for the next six months at the workshop Kälin attended, regarding the reintegration of IDPs.

Electoral Process and IDPs
In addition, IDPs are an important consideration in terms of forthcoming national elections in CAR. This large population of Central Africans may not be able to participate in the electoral process because of their displacement (votes must be cast at their place of residence and the majority of IDPs have not been able to return to their permanent homes). 

Despite these challenges, Kälin assured Member States that CAR can still serve as a model for other countries dealing with similar logistical issues. Laws are already in place in CAR’s electoral code, to manage the theoretical problem of displaced populations, but the real challenge will arise at the operational level. It is imperative that the government ensures that IDPs are registered and are not excluded from voting, as their participation will be an important factor in legitimizing CAR’s elections.   

Security Situation and DRR Progress
The SRSG in CAR reported that progress has been made in the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) process thanks to a well-planned implementation roadmap set out with the PBC’s assistance. South Africa and other Member States asserted that DDR should remain a priority in CAR.  

North
Rebel forces have attacked the town of Ndele twice (November 2009 and April 2010) and as a result, many of its citizens were forced to flee. Most of these displaced populations have been able to return to their homes except for the ethnic Runga group, introducing a worrisome ethnic dimension to the situation.

The after-effects of recent attacks were worsened, in part, by the lack of humanitarian actors present on the ground, whose access to the Northern region has been severely limited through government restrictions.  Several reports have surfaced of serious violations committed against IDPs in this area and of essential aid not reaching those in need. Following a number of these troubling reports, the government recently lifted its access restrictions on many of these areas, and humanitarian aid is now expected to reach IDP populations.

Northwest
The People’s Army for Restoration of Democracy (APRD), a key rebel group in Northwest CAR, has joined the process of verifying ex-combatants (as part of DDR).  The operation was launched recently, on 13 July.

Most IDPs remain displaced in forested areas in the Northwest, partially due to the APRD’s conspicuous lack of encouragement for displaced citizens to return to their homes. More people are expected to return once the DDR process is fully underway in the country.  

Two challenges remain in the region:

1. the threat of a criminal security vacuum following the disarmament of rebel groups during the DDR process (the Armed Forces are already stretched too thin); 
2. and the lack of mechanisms to support IDPs once they return home (long-term plans are in place, but immediate support for early recovery challenges will be needed).

Northeast
The SRSG reported that in Vakaga, one of the Northeast prefectures, there is a clear desire for reconciliation between ethnic groups

The government of CAR must anticipate and address security challenges following the departure of the UN peacekeeping Mission in CAR and Chad (MINURCAT), the SRSG emphasized. She further suggested a sub-regional option as a solution to the security vacuum expected to follow the withdrawal of MINURCAT. Several Member States expressed their interest in closely following future discussions for other possible responses to the withdrawal.

Southeast
The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), is forcing civilians to flee to urban centers, the SRSG reported. Currently, there is an urgent need to protect the citizens in this region, especially as humanitarian access is limited and the security forces deployed to this region can only provide minimum protection.

The United States, Canada, and other Member States appeared anxious about the volatile situation in the Southeast, and recognized the recent rebel attacks as a sign of instability. The SRSG confirmed that the LRA continues to perpetrate attacks in small bands, forcing more people into internal displacement.

Elections Timeline Questioned
After two postponements, a new date for CAR’s national elections (24 October 2010) was widely reported in recent weeks.  However, as the SRSG reported, this date has not yet been made official and an approved timeline has not been set.  The Independent Electoral Commission has suggested the use of computerized ballots, replacing the manual ballots customarily used in CAR; a change that could further delay the elections.  

Japan, the United States, and France expressed their concern about the feasibility of using computerized ballots and about delaying the elections any further (possibly until 2011).

Funding Gap Remains
A 7.5 million dollar (US) funding gap for the elections remains unfilled.  The remaining funds are essential for the electoral process to go forward in CAR.  A bit of breathing room has been allowed, the SRSG reports, as restrictions on 1.5 million US dollars from CAR’s PBC “basket fund” (or “trust fund”).  

The African Union (AU) has heard the Chair’s request for more funding and will consider an appropriate action. The AU will also review the situation in CAR at their Summit in Kampala.

The World Bank plans to reach out to the donor community to garner greater support for CAR and remains committed to joint outreach to key donors with the PBC.

Next Steps

The Chair plans to travel to Washington, D.C. to hold discussions with Ms. Obiageli Ezekwesili, the World Bank Vice-President for the African region, about a coordinated outreach for funding.