IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 387 

Condemning continued violence against civilians by armed groups in the 

Central African Republic and supporting efforts to achieve a lasting 

political solution to the conflict. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 16, 2019 

Mr. CICILLINE (for himself and Mr. FORTENBERRY) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Condemning continued violence against civilians by armed 

groups in the Central African Republic and supporting 

efforts to achieve a lasting political solution to the conflict. 

Whereas the overthrow of the Government of the Central African Republic in March 2013 and subsequent violence 

has led to the proliferation of multiple armed groups, 

which have been responsible for widespread atrocities 

based on perceived or actual religious or ethnic identities; 

Whereas the United Nations (UN) concluded in 2014 that 

the Central African Republic’s minority Muslim community had been the target of ethnic cleansing, and multiple 

UN officials have warned of a risk of genocide; 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
2 

•HRES 387 IH 

Whereas, according to the United Nations, an estimated 

2,900,000 people are in need of humanitarian assistance, 

over 590,000 Central Africans are refugees in neighboring countries, and over 640,000 people are displaced, 

most of whom are women and children; 

Whereas armed groups continue to engage in gross human 

rights abuses, violence, pillaging, and the illicit trafficking of natural resources such as ivory, gold, cattle, 

and diamonds; 

Whereas armed groups have intentionally targeted personnel 

from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated 

Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic 

(MINUSCA), aid workers, and journalists, making the 

Central African Republic one of the world’s most dangerous operating environments for humanitarian actors; 

Whereas the Central African Republic has made significant 

progress toward democracy by conducting democratic 

elections despite the lack of security around electoral polling stations and some irregularities, and inaugurated 

President Faustin-Archange Touade ́ra in March 2016; 

Whereas the establishment of the Special Criminal Court in 

June 2017 and the creation of more than 1,000 peace 

committees across the country demonstrate a genuine 

commitment to justice and accountability on the part of 

the people of the Central African Republic; and 

Whereas, since 2013, the United States has been the largest 

single donor to the humanitarian response in the Central 

African Republic, promoted peace and social cohesion, 

supported the deployment of MINUSCA, enacted sanctions against senior leaders of armed groups, and provided life-saving assistance to communities in the Central 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
3 

•HRES 387 IH 

African Republic affected by the crisis: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes that strong United States leader3 ship and support for the stability of the Central Af4 rican Republic is necessary for the security and fu5 ture stability of the region; 

6 (2) condemns violence against civilians, humani7 tarian workers, journalists, faith leaders, and United 

8 Nations peacekeepers by all armed actors operating 

9 within the Central African Republic; 

10 (3) welcomes the signing of the Khartoum 

11 Peace Agreement in February 2019 and urges all 

12 parties to adhere to the terms of the agreement, in13 cluding participating in efforts to disarm and de14 mobilize combatants, to advance long-term sustain15 able peace for the citizens of the Central African Re16 public; 

17 (4) supports continued efforts by the Govern18 ment of the Central African Republic, with support 

19 from the African Union and United Nations, to com20 bat the threat posed by armed groups; 

21 (5) calls on the international community, in22 cluding all members of the United Nations Security 

23 Council as well as neighboring countries, to support 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
4 

•HRES 387 IH 

1 constructive efforts toward peace in the Central Af2 rican Republic; 

3 (6) calls on the Government of the Central Afri4 can Republic to ensure that all state security forces 

5 adhere to civilian command, refrain from human 

6 rights abuses, and sever any and all links to armed 

7 groups except in the framework of disarmament, de8 mobilization, and reintegration under the Khartoum 

9 Agreement; and 

10 (7) urges the Secretary of State and the Ad11 ministrator of the United States Agency for Inter12 national Development (USAID), in coordination with 

13 other relevant Federal departments and agencies, 

14 to— 

15 (A) provide life-saving humanitarian and 

16 development assistance to support vulnerable 

17 populations and build local capacity to support 

18 sustainable agricultural production in the Cen19 tral African Republic; 

20 (B) support the efforts of local commu21 nities, nongovernmental organizations, and the 

22 Government of the Central African Republic to 

23 prevent atrocities along religious and ethnic 

24 lines, including through programs that focus on 

25 peacebuilding, reconciliation, human rights, 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
5 

•HRES 387 IH 

1 good and inclusive governance, justice, security 

2 sector reform, and the implementation of the 

3 Khartoum Agreement; 

4 (C) work with the United Nations, African 

5 Union, and regional governments and organiza6 tions to enforce existing sanctions related to the 

7 Central African Republic and address cross-bor8 der flows of illicit arms, natural resources, and 

9 armed groups; 

10 (D) ensure that United States assistance is 

11 well-coordinated among agencies and with other 

12 donors to maximize diplomatic, development, 

13 and defense resources to support peace, sta14 bility, and the Central African Republic’s jour15 ney to self-reliance; 

16 (E) undertake efforts to prioritize mutual 

17 interests between the United States and the 

18 Central African Republic and take steps to po19 sition the United States as a leader working 

20 with the Government of the Central African Re21 public in the areas of reconstruction, postcon22 flict remediation, and institution building, as 

23 well as taking steps to combat Russian influ24 ence in the country and region; 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
6 

•HRES 387 IH 

1 (F) support rehabilitation and reintegra2 tion programs led by the Central African Re3 public Government, nongovernmental organiza4 tions, and regional government partners for 

5 children, youth, and adults that have demobi6 lized from armed groups, including the Lord’s 

7 Resistance Army; 

8 (G) ensure that the United States Em9 bassy in Bangui, including USAID presence, 

10 and the Department of State Africa Bureau 

11 have adequate staffing and funding to carry out 

12 their programs and objectives; and 

13 (H) ensure that the United Nations Multi14 dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in 

15 the Central African Republic has adequate re16 sources, including personnel and force enabling 

17 equipment, and full funding to carry out its 

18 mandate. 

Æ 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS