Central African Republic: military orders ceasefire to revive peace process
The Central African Armed Forces (FACA) have issued a nationwide ceasefire order, instructing all national units and their allies to rigorously observe a cessation of hostilities. The measure, announced on Tuesday, is aimed at facilitating the reintegration of two active armed groups into the country’s peace framework.
According to an official statement, the ceasefire is part of efforts to bring the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) and the Return, Reclamation, and Rehabilitation (3R) group back into the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (APPR-RCA), originally signed in February 2019.
A supplementary agreement was signed on April 19 between the Central African government and representatives of the two groups, paving the way for their reintegration into the national peace process.
FACA Chief of Staff, General Zéphirin Mamadou, called for the immediate and unconditional enforcement of the ceasefire by all forces deployed across the country, as well as by their international partners. He also urged all parties to avoid any military action that could undermine progress toward peace.
Additionally, the general called on the 3R and UPC groups to promptly identify the locations where their fighters will be gathered and registered, in preparation for disarmament and integration, in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
General Mamadou clarified that the ceasefire does not apply to operations aimed at protecting civilians from factions that remain opposed to the peace process.