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Amnesty International Report 2017/18

proposals on gender equality and Indigenous 

Peoples, were under way.

Talks regarding a potential free trade deal 

with China continued, amid concerns over 

possible implications for human rights 

protection in China.

LEGAL, CONSTITUTIONAL OR 

INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

In June the government tabled legislation to 

accede to the UN Arms Trade Treaty, but 

without it applying to arms transfers to the 

USA, the primary market for Canadian arms 

sales.

In October the Justice for Victims of Corrupt 

Foreign Officials Act was passed, 

strengthening redress and sanctions in 

designated cases of serious human rights 

violations.

In December, federal, provincial and 

territorial ministers responsible for human 

rights met for the first time since 1988 and 

committed to establish a “senior level 

mechanism” to more effectively co-ordinate 

implementation of Canada’s international 

human rights obligations.

CENTRAL AFRICAN 

REPUBLIC

Central African Republic

Head of state: Faustin-Archange Touadéra

Head of government: Simplice Sarandji

The government had minimal control 

outside the capital, Bangui. Armed groups 

continued to fight for territorial control, and 

targeted civilians, humanitarian workers and 

peacekeepers. Widespread impunity further 

fuelled instability and conflict. Increasing 

numbers sought refuge in neighbouring 

countries or were internally displaced, in 

dire conditions. At least 2.4 million people 

depended on humanitarian assistance and 

1.4 million remained food insecure.

BACKGROUND

There was a resurgence of violence mainly in 

and around the Ouaka, Basse-Kotto and 

Haute-Kotto prefectures (districts). Ex-Seleka 

and Anti-balaka armed groups controlled 

much of the country.

The mandate of the UN Multidimensional 

Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central 

African Republic (MINUSCA) was renewed 

until 15 November 2018. Its forces were 

strengthened following criticism of its 

capacity to protect civilians and respond to 

attacks. In June, the UN agreed to reduce 

the MINUSCA budget by USD18.8 million, 

and the budgets of 14 peacekeeping 

missions.

US and Ugandan troops, deployed under 

the African Union-led Regional Task Force to 

eliminate the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), 

withdrew from the country between April and 

May.

In May, the national assembly presented a 

peace roadmap, which included a national 

committee of victims and excluded amnesties 

for war crimes, to the government.

In June, the government and 13 of the 14 

armed groups signed a peace agreement 

which included an immediate ceasefire, 

political representation for armed groups and 

the creation of a Truth and Reconciliation 

Commission. It also incorporated the 

potential for pardons.

In July, the AU produced the Roadmap for 

Peace and Reconciliation in the Central 

African Republic, which launched a joint 

mediation.

ABUSES BY ARMED GROUPS AND 

CRIMES UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

Armed groups were responsible for killings, 

torture and other ill-treatment, sexual 

assaults, abductions, arrests, extortion and 

looting, recruitment and exploitation of 

children and attacks on humanitarian 

workers and premises; they also prevented 

access to humanitarian assistance.

The International NGO Safety Organisation 

reported that over 390 security incidents 

targeted relief agencies and at least 15 local 

humanitarian workers were killed.

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Between 20 and 21 March, at least 20 

people, including civilians, were killed in 

clashes between ex-Seleka and Anti-balaka 

in the towns of Bakouma and Nzako, 

Mbomou prefecture.

In April, 11 civilians were killed in fighting 

between Anti-balaka and the Union for Peace 

in the Central African Republic (UPC) in 

loose alliance with herders along the 

Bangassou-Rafai road.

On 2 May, Return, Reclamation and 

Rehabilitation (3R) killed 12 people in Niem-

Yelewa and occupied the town for 12 days.

Between 7 and 25 May, UPC’s attacks killed 

hundreds of civilians and displaced 

thousands in the southeast including in the 

towns of Alindao, Nzangba and Mobaye. At 

least 130 civilians died in Alindao; women 

were systematically raped.

Between 12 and 13 May, Anti-balaka 

attacked the predominantly Muslim 

neighbourhood of Tokoyo in Bangassou, 

Mbomou prefecture, and the MINUSCA 

base. The UN estimated that at least 72 

people were killed, 76 injured and 4,400 

displaced, while the national Red Cross 

estimated at least 115 deaths.

From 16 to 18 May, at least 17 civilians 

were killed in clashes between ex-Seleka and 

Anti-balaka in the town of Bria, and some 

15,000 displaced.

On 6 June, at least 18 civilians were killed 

when Popular Front for the Rebirth of Central 

African Republic (FPRC) elements attacked 

Anti-balaka positions in Nzako.

From 20 to 23 June, over 80 civilians died 

during fights between Anti-balaka and FPRC 

in Bria.

Between 27 and 30 June, at least 22 people 

were killed when Anti-balaka attacked 

Muslim neighbourhoods in Zemio town, and 

the local population retaliated.

On 1 July, at least 10 people were killed in 

fighting between the Central African Patriotic 

Movement (MPC) and Anti-balaka in Kaga-

Bandoro, Nana-Gribizi province.

Between 29 July and 1 August, clashes 

between ex-Seleka and Anti-balaka in the 

town of Batangafo resulted in at least 14 

civilian deaths and over 24,000 people 

displaced.

In August, clashes between Anti-balaka and 

UPC in the town of Gambo, near Bangassou, 

resulted in at least 36 civilian deaths 

including six national Red Cross workers.

In September, clashes between rival FPRC 

factions left 10 people dead in Bria.

Hundreds of Muslims returned home in the 

southwest but continued to be persecuted; 

fear of attacks forced them to restrict their 

movements and, in some cases, hide their 

religion.

In the southeast, international NGOs 

reported 113 attacks by the LRA and at least 

12 civilian casualties and 362 kidnappings.

On 10 October, at least 25 people were 

killed in a mosque when Anti-balaka attacked 

Kembe town, in the Basse-Kotto province. On 

18 October, clashes between Anti-balaka and 

UPC fighters in Pombolo, in Mbomou 

province, led to at least 26 deaths.

In November, four people were killed when 

unidentified assailants threw a grenade at a 

concert in Bangui.

VIOLATIONS BY PEACEKEEPING FORCES

Reports of sexual exploitation and abuses 

(“SEA”) by UN peacekeeping troops 

continued. In January, the UN Secretary-

General announced a new task force to 

prevent and respond to SEA. However, the 

UN registered 21 SEA cases, including 

against six children, involving peacekeepers. 

In June, the Republic of the Congo withdrew 

nearly 650 troops in light of sexual abuse and 

misconduct allegations.

On 30 September, at least one Mauritanian 

peacekeeper allegedly drugged and raped a 

woman in the town of Bambari. MINUSCA 

rapidly deployed investigators and committed 

to pursuing the issue.

Several SEA complaints involving French 

forces, deployed under Operation Sangaris, 

were dismissed following investigations. In 

March, the Paris Prosecutor requested the 

dismissal of a rape case which allegedly 

occurred between 2013 and 2014 at an 

internally displaced people’s settlement in 

M’Poko in Bangui. At least 14 Operation 

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