In an action that has inspired hope for peace in the conflict-hit Central African Republic (CAR), the government of President Faustin-Archange Touadera and 14 rebel groups signed a peace deal in Bangui, the capital, on Wednesday 6 February.
The deal was agreed during a 10-day negotiation in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, under African Union (AU) moderation and with support from the United Nations.
Although the agreement’s details were not made public, it is understood that the two sides agreed on – among other issues – an inclusive government and how to deal with the sensitive issue of amnesty for the rebel fighters.
The latest agreement, the eighth in six years, is good news for the Catholic Church which has born the brunt of the violence. Churches and monasteries have been attacked and plundered, and priests killed and nuns targeted, by the largely Muslim Seleka rebel coalition.
Five Catholic priests were killed in 2018 in CAR during attacks by militias.
Touadera said the first step would be to end hostilities against civilians and reached out to the armed groups to accept the peace. Ali Darassa, the leader of the Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC) and Nuridine Adan of the Popular Front for the Renaissance of Central African Republic (FPRC) - two of the biggest rebel groups - signed the agreement in Khartoum, although they were not present in Bangui.
A crisis ignited in the mineral rich country in 2012, when Seleka arose from the north. The following year, the group overthrew the government of President Francois Bozize, a Christian, triggering the rise of the pro-Christian militia, anti-Balaka.
Although Seleka leaders left power in 2014, militia groups continue to fight. Thousands have been killed in the conflict and nearly 4.5 million displaced.
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