LM Report 2004

Central African Republic

Key developments since 1999: 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 (CAR) acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 8 November 2002 and became a State Party on 1 May 2003. The government of President François Bozize, former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, came to power after the overthrow of President Patasse on 15 March 2003, and it subsequently reaffirmed its adherence to the Mine Ban Treaty.^[1] There is no domestic legislation in place to implement the treaty.^[2]

The CAR did not participate in the Ottawa Process leading up to the Mine Ban Treaty. It has attended one Mine Ban Treaty Meeting of States Parties—in September 2002 when it announced its intention to join the treaty—and several intersessional Standing Committee meetings, including in June 2004.^[3] The CAR also participated in a regional landmine seminar held in Mali in February 2001. On 8 December 2003, the CAR voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 58/53, calling for universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty; this was its first positive vote on the annual pro-ban resolution since 1998.

An initial Article 7 transparency report, due by 27 October 2003, was apparently drafted, but then destroyed during the 2003 internal conflict.^[4] In June 2004, an official indicated the report would be submitted soon.^[5]

Production, Transfer, Stockpiling and Destruction

In May 2002, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Central African Republic had never produced or exported antipersonnel mines and had a very limited quantity of antipersonnel mines stockpiled for training purposes.^[6] Another official later declared that it is impossible for the central government to verify stockpiles of arms on its territory since the various arms depots had been emptied by mutineers between 1996 and 2003.^[7] In July 2003, the media reported that the national disarmament program had recovered only one antipersonnel mine.^[8]

Use and Landmine Problem

In October 2002, landmines—apparently antivehicle only—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.^[9] They subsequently seized power on 15 March 2003. In a letter to Landmine Monitor, General Bozize stated that his armed forces had never acquired or used either antipersonnel or antivehicle landmines.^[10]

In November 2002, the Army of the Central African Republic started mine clearance operations in Bangui.^[11] In November and December 2002, the British mine clearance NGO HALO Trust conducted a month-long mission to the Central African Republic. 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.”^[12] HALO also said the evidence suggested that the mines had been placed by forces loyal to General Bozize.

No mine-related casualties have ever been recorded, but an official declared it was impossible for the central government to know what happens in remote areas.^[13] In 2003, there were reportedly casualties caused by unexploded ordnance.^[14]

[1] Letter to Landmine Monitor (Mary Wareham) from Gen. François Bozize, President of the Republic, 1 August 2003; see Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 157.
[2] Interview with Doko Lazare, Head of Mission, Security Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Francophony, Geneva, 23 June 2004.
[3] Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 157.
[4] Interview with Doko Lazare, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2004.
[5] Statement by Central African Republic, Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 21 June 2004.
[6] Statement by Col. Nassin Nicaise, Officer in Charge of Security Matters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Geneva, 29 May 2002.
[7] Interview with Doko Lazare, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2004.
[8] “Government to Train 220 Men After Arms Surrender,” IRIN, 22 July 2003.
[9] “Mine Clearance underway,” IRIN, 12 November 2002; “NGO cautions against possible mines in northwestern town,” IRIN, 16 December 2002.
[10] Letter from Gen. François Bozize, 1 August 2003; Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 157.
[11] An article reported that both antipersonnel and antivehicle mines were found. “Mine Clearance underway,” IRIN, 12 November 2002.
[12] Emails from Tim Porter, Southern Africa Desk Officer, HALO, 4 June 2003 and 31 July 2003.
[13] Interview with Doko Lazare, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2004.
[14] Ibid.