Title: 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.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution condemns violence against civilians in the Central African Republic and expresses support for efforts to combat the threat posed by armed groups. The resolution also urges relevant federal departments and agencies to provide humanitarian assistance to these civilians and take steps to prioritize a stronger partnership between the United States and the Central African Republic.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 387 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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;
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 Touadera 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 African Republic 
        affected by the crisis: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that strong United States leadership and 
        support for the stability of the Central African Republic is 
        necessary for the security and future stability of the region;
            (2) condemns violence against civilians, humanitarian 
        workers, journalists, faith leaders, and United Nations 
        peacekeepers by all armed actors operating within the Central 
        African Republic;
            (3) welcomes the signing of the Khartoum Peace Agreement in 
        February 2019 and urges all parties to adhere to the terms of 
        the agreement, including participating in efforts to disarm and 
        demobilize combatants, to advance long-term sustainable peace 
        for the citizens of the Central African Republic;
            (4) supports continued efforts by the Government of the 
        Central African Republic, with support from the African Union 
        and United Nations, to combat the threat posed by armed groups;
            (5) calls on the international community, including all 
        members of the United Nations Security Council as well as 
        neighboring countries, to support constructive efforts toward 
        peace in the Central African Republic;
            (6) calls on the Government of the Central African Republic 
        to ensure that all state security forces adhere to civilian 
        command, refrain from human rights abuses, and sever any and 
        all links to armed groups except in the framework of 
        disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration under the 
        Khartoum Agreement; and
            (7) urges the Secretary of State and the Administrator of 
        the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 
        in coordination with other relevant Federal departments and 
        agencies, to--
                    (A) provide life-saving humanitarian and 
                development assistance to support vulnerable 
                populations and build local capacity to support 
                sustainable agricultural production in the Central 
                African Republic;
                    (B) support the efforts of local communities, 
                nongovernmental organizations, and the Government of 
                the Central African Republic to prevent atrocities 
                along religious and ethnic lines, including through 
                programs that focus on peacebuilding, reconciliation, 
                human rights, good and inclusive governance, justice, 
                security sector reform, and the implementation of the 
                Khartoum Agreement;
                    (C) work with the United Nations, African Union, 
                and regional governments and organizations to enforce 
                existing sanctions related to the Central African 
                Republic and address cross-border flows of illicit 
                arms, natural resources, and armed groups;
                    (D) ensure that United States assistance is well-
                coordinated among agencies and with other donors to 
                maximize diplomatic, development, and defense resources 
                to support peace, stability, and the Central African 
                Republic's journey to self-reliance;
                    (E) undertake efforts to prioritize mutual 
                interests between the United States and the Central 
                African Republic and take steps to position the United 
                States as a leader working with the Government of the 
                Central African Republic in the areas of 
                reconstruction, postconflict remediation, and 
                institution building, as well as taking steps to combat 
                Russian influence in the country and region;
                    (F) support rehabilitation and reintegration 
                programs led by the Central African Republic 
                Government, nongovernmental organizations, and regional 
                government partners for children, youth, and adults 
                that have demobilized from armed groups, including the 
                Lord's Resistance Army;
                    (G) ensure that the United States Embassy in 
                Bangui, including USAID presence, and the Department of 
                State Africa Bureau have adequate staffing and funding 
                to carry out their programs and objectives; and
                    (H) ensure that the United Nations Multidimensional 
                Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African 
                Republic has adequate resources, including personnel 
                and force enabling equipment, and full funding to carry 
                out its mandate.
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