LM Report 2003

Central African Republic

Key developments since May 2002: The Central African Republic acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 8 November 2002 and became a State Party on 1 May 2003. Antivehicle landmines were reportedly used in October 2002 by opposition forces during an attempted military coup. Those opposition forces subsequently seized power in March 2003. The new government denies use of mines and has reaffirmed its adherence to the Mine Ban Treaty.

Mine Ban Policy

The Central African Republic acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 8 November 2002 and became a State Party on 1 May 2003. Its initial Article 7 transparency report is due by 27 October 2003.

In May 2002, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Central African Republic has never produced or exported antipersonnel mines and has a very limited quantity of antipersonnel mines stockpiled for training purposes.^[1]

On 25 June 2002, President Ange-Félix Patasse promulgated a law authorizing accession to the Mine Ban Treaty.^[2] The Central African Republic participated in the Fourth Meeting of States Parties in September 2002 and during the meeting it announced its intention to join the Mine Ban Treaty.^[3] It officially deposited its instrument of accession on 8 November 2002.

The Central African Republic sponsored, but was absent during the vote on 22 November 2002 on UN General Assembly Resolution 57/74, supporting the universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. It attended intersessional Standing Committee meetings in February 2003.

On 15 March 2003, the government of President Patasse was overthrown by rebel forces loyal to General François Bozize, former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.^[4] The new government did not attend the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in May 2003.

In response to an inquiry from Landmine Monitor, General Bozize reaffirmed the adherence of the Central African Republic to the Mine Ban Treaty.^[5]

Use of Landmines and the Landmine Problem

In October 2002, landmines mines were used for the first time in the Central African Republic. Rebels loyal to General François Bozize reportedly laid landmines when they invaded the capital of Bangui, in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow President Patasse.^[6] They subsequently seized power on 15 March 2003. In his letter to Landmine Monitor, General Bozize stated that his armed forces had never acquired or used antipersonnel or antivehicle landmines.^[7]

Most of the mines were reportedly laid on the road linking Bangui's northern and eastern suburbs, including Damala and Ndress.^[8] There was also concern that mines were laid in Damara, 80 kilometers northwest of Bangui.^[9]

In November 2002, the Army of the Central African Republic started mine clearance operations in Bangui. One press account reported that both antipersonnel and antivehicle mines were being cleared.^[10] Landmine Monitor was informed that twelve Russian antivehicle landmines had been found and removed; according to an official, the rebel forces brought these mines into the Central African Republic from Chad.^[11]

In November and December 2002, the British mine clearance NGO HALO Trust conducted a month-long mission to the Central African Republic.^[12] It received information that six antivehicle mines (TC series) had been discovered and concluded, “All the evidence gathered points to a low grade mine threat in the country.” HALO said the evidence suggests that the mines were placed by forces loyal to General Bozize.^[13]

In July 2003, it was reported that the national disarmament program had resulted in recovery of an antipersonnel mine, in addition to 209 small arms, 1,361 grenades, 27 mortar shells and 54 rockets.^[14]

No mine-related casualties have been recorded.^[15]

[1] Statement by Col. Nassin Nicaise, Officer in Charge of Security Matters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the intersessional Standing Committee Meetings, Geneva, 29 May 2002.
[2] “Adhesion de la Centrafrique a la Convention sur les mines antipersonnel,” Agence France Presse (Bangui), 25 June 2002.
[3] “Bangui Signs Convention to Ban Landmines,” IRIN, 30 September 2002.
[4] After Bozize overthrew Patasse, he dissolved the national assembly, the government and the constitution. “Preparations for National Dialogue Start,” IRIN, 22 July 2003.
[5] Letter to Mary Wareham, Landmine Monitor Global Coordinator, from General François Bozize, President of the Republic, 1 August 2003. He wrote, “Aussi, avons-nous le plaisir de reaffirmer l’adhesion de la Republique Centrafricaine au Traite d’interdiction des mines.”
[6] “Mine Clearance underway,” IRIN, 12 November 2002.
[7] Letter to Landmine Monitor from General François Bozize, 1 August 2003.
[8] “Mine Clearance underway,” IRIN, 12 November 2002.
[9] “NGO cautions against possible mines in northwestern town,” IRIN, 16 December 2002.
[10] “Mine Clearance underway,” IRIN, 12 November 2002.
[11] Phone interview with Col. Nassin Niçaise, Officer in charge of Security Matters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 4 February 2003.
[12] “NGO cautions against possible mines in northwestern town,” IRIN, 16 December 2002.
[13] Emails from Tim Porter, HALO Southern Africa Desk, 4 June 2003 and 31 July 2003.
[14] “Government to Train 220 Men After Arms Surrender,” IRIN, 22 July 2003.
[15] “NGO cautions against possible mines in northwestern town,” IRIN, 16 December 2002; interview with Lydie Ella, Head of Studies, ICRC Regional Office, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 13 January 2003; interview with regional representative of the ICRC, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 6 February 2003; email from Tim Porter, HALO Southern Africa Desk, 4 June 2003; Letter to Landmine Monitor from General François Bozize, 1 August 2003.