IMF Executive Board Completes Fifth Review Under Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for Central African Republic and Approves US$31.6 Million Disbursement https://www.imf.org/en/News/Article...-5th-rev-ext-cr-fac-arr-and-approves-disburse December 21, 2018 IMF Executive Board also concludes the 2018 Article IV consultation. The Central African Republic authorities implement a comprehensive economic reform program to entrench macroeconomic stability, buttress inclusive growth, and reduce poverty. Growth is estimated at 4.3 percent in 2017 and is expected to remain broadly unchanged. On Extended Credit Facility (ECF)arrangement for [1] Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. Given the persistent insecurity and the large humanitarian needs of the population, they recognized the Central African Republic’s efforts to implement its economic program and the satisfactory performance under the ECF arrangement. Directors stressed the importance of rebuilding sound institutions and maintaining macroeconomic stability, which provide an important opportunity toward exiting fragility. Against this difficult backdrop, Directors welcomed the authorities’ continued commitment to the program objectives, and underscored the need to implement the National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan and the development agenda to boost economic prospects. Directors emphasized that higher and inclusive growth will be critical to create jobs and reduce poverty. They underlined the importance of continued Fund engagement through ongoing technical assistance and close coordination with other development partners, paying due regard to the country’s absorptive capacity. Directors welcomed the authorities’ commitment to ensure that fiscal policy remains consistent with macroeconomic stability while stepping up social spending. They underscored the importance of further improving domestic revenue mobilization to sustainably expand the provision of public services. In this regard, Directors encouraged the authorities to further strengthen customs and tax administration, enhance information exchange between government agencies, modernize payment systems, and use IT systems more comprehensively. They commended the authorities for integrating in the 2019 budget previously excluded expenditures and revenues from government agencies and funds, as well as for increasing the budget allocation for key ministries providing social services. Directors welcomed the recent simplification of the oil price structure that would limit the fiscal impact of higher global oil prices. Directors noted the progress in improving public financial management, including regular and timely budget execution reporting and reduced use of exceptional spending procedures. They encouraged the authorities to further streamline quasi‑fiscal taxes and levies. Directors underscored the importance of good governance and the fight against corruption. They encouraged the authorities to strengthen the asset declaration regime, implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and improve the management of natural resources, including by adhering to the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Directors noted the staff assessment that the external position appears weaker than implied by medium‑term fundamentals and desirable policies. They pointed out that the insecurity, high transportation cost, and a weak judicial system undermine the country’s attractiveness for investment. Noting the high risk of debt distress, Directors recommended limiting borrowing and seeking instead to mobilize grant financing to its fullest extent. They also called for continued efforts to resolve external arrears. Directors welcomed progress to clear domestic arrears and encouraged steadfast implementation of the strategy while ensuring transparency and accountability of the process. Directors noted that the Central African Republic’s program continues to be supported by the implementation of policies and reforms by the regional institutions, which are critical to the program’s success. These comprise the implementation of the three policy assurances provided in the June 2018 Letter of Policy Support, as updated with respect to the assurance on NFAs by the December 2018 Letter, and as discussed in the December 2018 union‑wide background paper. Completion of the sixth review will be conditional on the implementation of these policy assurances. It is expected that the next Article IV consultation with the Central African Republic will be held in accordance with the Executive Board decision on consultation cycles for members with Fund arrangements. Table 1. Central African Republic: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2016–23 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Est. Est. 4th. Rev. Proj. Proj. (Annual percentage change; unless otherwise indicated) National income and prices GDP at constant prices 4.5 4.3 4.3 4.3 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 GDP per capita at constant prices 2.6 2.4 2.4 2.4 3.1 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.1 GDP at current prices 11.2 8.1 8.4 7.4 8.2 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.6 GDP deflator 6.3 3.6 3.9 3.0 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 CPI (annual average) 4.6 4.1 4.0 3.0 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 CPI (end-of-period) 4.7 4.2 3.6 2.5 2.3 2.7 2.4 2.6 2.4 Money and credit Broad money 5.8 10.3 8.5 2.3 11.6 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.6 Credit to the economy 17.5 -0.1 5.9 5.5 3.3 7.7 7.3 8.7 11.0 External sector Export volume of goods 52.3 42.5 9.3 10.0 10.4 8.1 8.6 8.6 5.5 Import volume of goods 13.4 -2.5 6.7 5.2 6.2 5.4 5.7 5.3 5.7 Terms of trade -0.4 -19.0 -11.4 -13.4 0.2 1.2 2.7 0.6 0.4 (Percent of GDP; unless otherwise indicated) Gross national savings 8.2 5.5 6.9 7.3 9.0 9.9 10.6 11.3 12.0 Of which: current official transfers 3.7 1.9 3.3 3.1 2.8 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.4 Gross domestic savings -3.3 -3.7 -3.0 -2.9 -0.3 1.2 2.0 3.0 4.0 Government -1.0 -1.5 -0.1 -0.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.1 1.4 Private sector -2.3 -2.2 -2.9 -2.4 -0.6 0.7 1.2 1.8 2.5 Consumption 103.3 103.7 103.0 102.9 100.3 98.8 98.0 97.0 96.0 Government 7.3 7.5 7.0 7.3 7.5 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 Private sector 96.0 96.2 96.0 95.5 92.8 91.1 90.3 89.3 88.3 Gross investment 13.7 13.8 15.3 15.9 16.6 16.8 16.2 16.2 16.6 Government 3.1 4.8 6.3 6.9 7.5 7.8 7.2 7.2 7.1 Private sector 10.6 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.5 External current account balance with grants -5.5 -8.3 -8.4 -8.6 -7.6 -7.0 -5.7 -4.9 -4.7 without grants -10.7 -11.7 -13.2 -13.3 -11.7 -10.6 -9.2 -8.4 -8.0 Overall balance of payments 0.9 3.1 -1.6 -1.8 -0.2 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.1 Central government finance Total revenue (including grants) 14.1 13.7 16.6 17.5 18.8 18.3 17.9 18.0 18.1 of which: domestic revenue 8.2 8.3 9.2 9.3 10.7 10.9 11.2 11.5 11.8 Total expenditure 1 12.6 14.8 15.8 16.8 18.1 18.4 17.7 17.7 17.7 of which: capital spending 3.1 4.8 6.3 6.9 7.5 7.8 7.2 7.2 7.1 Overall balance Excluding grants -4.4 -6.5 -6.6 -7.6 -7.4 -7.4 -6.5 -6.2 -5.9 Including grants 1.6 -1.1 0.9 0.7 0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.4 Domestic primary balance 2 -1.1 -2.2 -1.4 -1.4 -1.2 -1.2 -0.9 -0.6 -0.3 Public sector debt 56.0 52.8 47.0 48.5 42.2 39.2 36.4 33.8 31.5 Of which: domestic debt 3 26.3 25.1 21.2 22.5 18.0 16.6 15.3 14.0 12.9 Of which: external debt 29.6 27.8 25.8 26.0 24.2 22.6 21.1 19.7 18.6 PPP per capita (PPP dollars) 651.8 676.9 705.9 705.9 735.8 765.0 795.0 824.8 855.9 Nominal GDP (CFAF billions) 1,041 1,126 1,218 1,209 1,308 1,408 1,515 1,630 1,754 Sources: C.A.R. authorities and IMF staff estimates and projections. 1 Expenditure is on a cash basis. 2 Excludes grants, interest payments, and externally-financed capital expenditure. 3 Comprises government debt to BEAC, commercial banks and government arrears. [1] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country's authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here:http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm . IMF Communications Department MEDIA RELATIONS PRESS OFFICER: GEDIMINAS VILKAS PHONE: +1 202 623-7100EMAIL: [email protected] IMF Executive Board Completes Fifth Review Under Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for Central African Republic and Approves US$31.6 Million Disbursement https://www.imf.org/en/News/Article...-5th-rev-ext-cr-fac-arr-and-approves-disburse December 21, 2018 IMF Executive Board also concludes the 2018 Article IV consultation. The Central African Republic authorities implement a comprehensive economic reform program to entrench macroeconomic stability, buttress inclusive growth, and reduce poverty. Growth is estimated at 4.3 percent in 2017 and is expected to remain broadly unchanged. On Extended Credit Facility (ECF)arrangement for [1] Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. Given the persistent insecurity and the large humanitarian needs of the population, they recognized the Central African Republic’s efforts to implement its economic program and the satisfactory performance under the ECF arrangement. Directors stressed the importance of rebuilding sound institutions and maintaining macroeconomic stability, which provide an important opportunity toward exiting fragility. Against this difficult backdrop, Directors welcomed the authorities’ continued commitment to the program objectives, and underscored the need to implement the National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan and the development agenda to boost economic prospects. Directors emphasized that higher and inclusive growth will be critical to create jobs and reduce poverty. They underlined the importance of continued Fund engagement through ongoing technical assistance and close coordination with other development partners, paying due regard to the country’s absorptive capacity. Directors welcomed the authorities’ commitment to ensure that fiscal policy remains consistent with macroeconomic stability while stepping up social spending. They underscored the importance of further improving domestic revenue mobilization to sustainably expand the provision of public services. In this regard, Directors encouraged the authorities to further strengthen customs and tax administration, enhance information exchange between government agencies, modernize payment systems, and use IT systems more comprehensively. They commended the authorities for integrating in the 2019 budget previously excluded expenditures and revenues from government agencies and funds, as well as for increasing the budget allocation for key ministries providing social services. Directors welcomed the recent simplification of the oil price structure that would limit the fiscal impact of higher global oil prices. Directors noted the progress in improving public financial management, including regular and timely budget execution reporting and reduced use of exceptional spending procedures. They encouraged the authorities to further streamline quasi‑fiscal taxes and levies. Directors underscored the importance of good governance and the fight against corruption. They encouraged the authorities to strengthen the asset declaration regime, implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and improve the management of natural resources, including by adhering to the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Directors noted the staff assessment that the external position appears weaker than implied by medium‑term fundamentals and desirable policies. They pointed out that the insecurity, high transportation cost, and a weak judicial system undermine the country’s attractiveness for investment. Noting the high risk of debt distress, Directors recommended limiting borrowing and seeking instead to mobilize grant financing to its fullest extent. They also called for continued efforts to resolve external arrears. Directors welcomed progress to clear domestic arrears and encouraged steadfast implementation of the strategy while ensuring transparency and accountability of the process. Directors noted that the Central African Republic’s program continues to be supported by the implementation of policies and reforms by the regional institutions, which are critical to the program’s success. These comprise the implementation of the three policy assurances provided in the June 2018 Letter of Policy Support, as updated with respect to the assurance on NFAs by the December 2018 Letter, and as discussed in the December 2018 union‑wide background paper. Completion of the sixth review will be conditional on the implementation of these policy assurances. It is expected that the next Article IV consultation with the Central African Republic will be held in accordance with the Executive Board decision on consultation cycles for members with Fund arrangements. Table 1. Central African Republic: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2016–23 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Est. Est. 4th. Rev. Proj. Proj. (Annual percentage change; unless otherwise indicated) National income and prices GDP at constant prices 4.5 4.3 4.3 4.3 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 GDP per capita at constant prices 2.6 2.4 2.4 2.4 3.1 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.1 GDP at current prices 11.2 8.1 8.4 7.4 8.2 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.6 GDP deflator 6.3 3.6 3.9 3.0 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 CPI (annual average) 4.6 4.1 4.0 3.0 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 CPI (end-of-period) 4.7 4.2 3.6 2.5 2.3 2.7 2.4 2.6 2.4 Money and credit Broad money 5.8 10.3 8.5 2.3 11.6 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.6 Credit to the economy 17.5 -0.1 5.9 5.5 3.3 7.7 7.3 8.7 11.0 External sector Export volume of goods 52.3 42.5 9.3 10.0 10.4 8.1 8.6 8.6 5.5 Import volume of goods 13.4 -2.5 6.7 5.2 6.2 5.4 5.7 5.3 5.7 Terms of trade -0.4 -19.0 -11.4 -13.4 0.2 1.2 2.7 0.6 0.4 (Percent of GDP; unless otherwise indicated) Gross national savings 8.2 5.5 6.9 7.3 9.0 9.9 10.6 11.3 12.0 Of which: current official transfers 3.7 1.9 3.3 3.1 2.8 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.4 Gross domestic savings -3.3 -3.7 -3.0 -2.9 -0.3 1.2 2.0 3.0 4.0 Government -1.0 -1.5 -0.1 -0.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.1 1.4 Private sector -2.3 -2.2 -2.9 -2.4 -0.6 0.7 1.2 1.8 2.5 Consumption 103.3 103.7 103.0 102.9 100.3 98.8 98.0 97.0 96.0 Government 7.3 7.5 7.0 7.3 7.5 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 Private sector 96.0 96.2 96.0 95.5 92.8 91.1 90.3 89.3 88.3 Gross investment 13.7 13.8 15.3 15.9 16.6 16.8 16.2 16.2 16.6 Government 3.1 4.8 6.3 6.9 7.5 7.8 7.2 7.2 7.1 Private sector 10.6 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.5 External current account balance with grants -5.5 -8.3 -8.4 -8.6 -7.6 -7.0 -5.7 -4.9 -4.7 without grants -10.7 -11.7 -13.2 -13.3 -11.7 -10.6 -9.2 -8.4 -8.0 Overall balance of payments 0.9 3.1 -1.6 -1.8 -0.2 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.1 Central government finance Total revenue (including grants) 14.1 13.7 16.6 17.5 18.8 18.3 17.9 18.0 18.1 of which: domestic revenue 8.2 8.3 9.2 9.3 10.7 10.9 11.2 11.5 11.8 Total expenditure 1 12.6 14.8 15.8 16.8 18.1 18.4 17.7 17.7 17.7 of which: capital spending 3.1 4.8 6.3 6.9 7.5 7.8 7.2 7.2 7.1 Overall balance Excluding grants -4.4 -6.5 -6.6 -7.6 -7.4 -7.4 -6.5 -6.2 -5.9 Including grants 1.6 -1.1 0.9 0.7 0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.4 Domestic primary balance 2 -1.1 -2.2 -1.4 -1.4 -1.2 -1.2 -0.9 -0.6 -0.3 Public sector debt 56.0 52.8 47.0 48.5 42.2 39.2 36.4 33.8 31.5 Of which: domestic debt 3 26.3 25.1 21.2 22.5 18.0 16.6 15.3 14.0 12.9 Of which: external debt 29.6 27.8 25.8 26.0 24.2 22.6 21.1 19.7 18.6 PPP per capita (PPP dollars) 651.8 676.9 705.9 705.9 735.8 765.0 795.0 824.8 855.9 Nominal GDP (CFAF billions) 1,041 1,126 1,218 1,209 1,308 1,408 1,515 1,630 1,754 Sources: C.A.R. authorities and IMF staff estimates and projections. 1 Expenditure is on a cash basis. 2 Excludes grants, interest payments, and externally-financed capital expenditure. 3 Comprises government debt to BEAC, commercial banks and government arrears. [1] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country's authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here:http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm . IMF Communications Department MEDIA RELATIONS PRESS OFFICER: GEDIMINAS VILKAS PHONE: +1 202 623-7100EMAIL: [email protected]
https://investingnews.com/daily/res...finances-geopolitical-turnaround-drove-gains/ AXMIN CFO Says Finances, Turnaround in CAR Drove 2018 Gains Olivia Da Silva - December 24th, 2018 Despite staying quiet on the news front in 2018, AXMIN (TSXV:AXM) had a wildly successful yearwith regard to its share price, which is currently up nearly 700 percent year-to-date. In a conversation with the Investing News Network (INN), AXMIN CFO David Weill shared insight on the spike, which he says was driven by three main factors, including a royalty stream in Senegal with miner Teranga Gold (TSX:TGZ) for the Gora deposit. “If you just look at our accounts, we’re cashflow profitable [and] accounting profitable, just on the royalty stream that we have now from Teranga on one site, which is the Gora site, and we have 17 more potential sites to be developed with Teranga,” Weill said. “The second factor is definitely the Central African Republic (CAR) geopolitical situation turning the corner.” The company, whose Passendro gold project is located in the CAR, has faced hiccups over the last year due to a turbulent time in the the country with relation to local security issues. However, according to Weill, things have started to simmer down in the country through avenues like military reforms and support from countries like France and Russia. As for the third factor pushing AXMIN ahead, Weill pointed to the company cleaning up its balance sheet and being in a “very strong financial situation.” This stems in part from the company’s royalty agreement with Teranga, mentioned above, which still stands to expand. “We had numerous properties in Senegal that we basically farmed out to Teranga where we would do a joint development and, since we’re focusing really on the CAR property, we opted to go for a NSR — net smelter return royalty — so we simply take 1.5 percent off the top,” Weill said. “The first property that came into production was the Gora deposit, which was a huge winner, but we have 17 more. We don’t know what Teranga is planning to do with the additional properties. They do look highly prospective to us, but the fundamental decision now as to exploration and then eventual production lies with Teranga,” he explained. As mentioned, despite its major share price gain AXMIN put out minimal press releases throughout the year. In fact, the company released a statement in August explaining it was unsure of any specific reason for increased market activity. However, at the time, AXMIN had been working to settle a drawn-out accounts payable issue with a consultant that helped secure its ownership of licenses in the CAR. Weill told INN that the statement was a standard way of informing the TSX that nothing with the dispute had been officially resolved yet, but also said he feels the growth in activity came from the market re-evaluating the CAR’s profitability. “We were in the process of getting TSX approval for eliminating the accounts payable, which we did by issuing shares of about three times the market price, and also paying a certain amount of cash,” he said. “But that transaction was not complete, and the market had no knowledge of it. What the market was doing, in my opinion, was reassessing the prospects of the CAR as a country.” With the CAR’s geopolitical situation now on the rise and AXMIN’s check book being a clean slate, the company has plans in 2019 to step up its online presence and further develop its assets. “I think you’re seeing the very beginning of it in that we’re going to be highly communicative,” Weill said. “We’re going to be far more proactive in our press releases and we’re basically looking to develop our in-country staff, further our relationship with the government and the government agencies that will be directly involved with our operation. We’re going to be actively soliciting strategic partners to assist us in developing the assets and we’re really just going to take it from there.” As of Monday (December 24) at 1:00 p.m. EST, AXMIN’s share price was sitting at C$0.235, up 683.33 percent year-to-date. Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates! Securities Disclosure: I, Olivia Da Silva, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Article: Central African Republic Returning Back To Normal https://www.voaafrique.com/a/les-pr...e-fin-d-année-battent-leur-plein/4713957.html The preparations for the end of year celebrations are in full swing December 25, 2018 After several years of violence, the CAR is starting to return to its old-fashioned atmosphere. The preparations for the end of year festivities are going well and Bangui is vibrating with the Christmas celebration. Markets and streets are teeming with toys and the world. Almost all markets, department stores and avenues are full of toys of all kinds. To avoid any overflow on the avenues of the city center, the central city hall decided this year to create a common Christmas market. A soccer field in the 1st arrondissement houses this place, " quickly become attractive" according to Emile Gros-Raymond Nakombo, mayor of Bangui. The existence of this common market has created a real competition between toy merchants. Those who benefit are the customers who come in droves. For some, prices are affordable this year, others think the opposite. According to the vendors, the restoration of security on the Bangui-Douala axis has allowed the mass arrival of toys, which has considerably lowered prices, as confirmed a trader at VOA Africa. Even if a common market selling toys and other objects exists in the 1st arrondissement, the markets, streets and neighborhoods of other boroughs vibrate to the sound of trumpets, whistles, blows of horns. In short, the Central African capital is recovering its atmosphere before the security crisis.
New CAR Mining & Geology Website Promoting Investment If you go to the website and translate it from French To English, you'll see that there's a big push from the government to invest in the country. Lots of projects are oil & gas based, but I bet they add Passendro sometime this year. https://www.facebook.com/pg/gouv.cf/posts/?ref=page_internal https://mines.gouv.cf/ Gouvernement de la Centrafrique is with Louis-Firmin Kongoubé and 35 others in Bangui, Central African Republic. 3 hrs · Dear all I welcome you to the official portal of the ministry of mines and geology https://mines.gouv.cf/. this site to meet public expectations for information on the mining sector of the central African Republic. Indeed, the mining sector that could have brought economic growth very high, given the immense potential of the central African Republic, has not been at the meeting since the country's accession to independence. This is a matter of concern to which the government of the March 2016 elections attempts to provide a lasting response through the consolidation of the acquis and to draw up new guidelines on innovation and diversification. Happy and happy year 2019 and Good navigation Leopold Mboli-fatran Minister of mines and geology · See original · Rate this translation Gouvernement de la Centrafrique Government Organization
United Nations Job Offer For Gold Mining Projects In Central African Republic https://uncareer.net/vacancy/program-officer-gold-focus-m2m-206890 Added Date: Wednesday, 02 January 2019 Deadline Date: Thursday, 28 March 2019 Organization: Pact Country: Central African Republic At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives. Department Mines to Markets (M2M) - Pact’s Mines to Markets Signature Initiative assists mineral-dependent communities to gain lasting benefits from the more sustainable use of the natural resources around them. Pact takes an integrated approach to its work in the mining sector: we link mining to livelihoods, governance, health, environment, and the strengthening of local, regional and national institutions. The M2M program is currently active in eleven countries, working with all scales of mining from large scale industrial operations (LSMs) to individual Artisanal and Small-scale Miners (ASMs) and their communities, in remote areas. For more information on current and some past projects at www.pactworld.org/mining. Position Overview Pact is seeking a Program Officer to support our expanding work gold mining communities, particularly in the African continent. While Pact has programs in several different mineral supply chains, this position will focus principally on artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) projects. The chosen candidate will support the design, development and delivery of Pact’s work with companies, communities and governments in the global mining sector to contribute to the achievement of Pact’s overall strategy. The candidate will provide technical support and mentorship to Pact staff around the world, and provide leadership and oversight to program design, including proposal writing, and program implementation. The candidate will be required to keep abreast of opportunities, regulations, actors, and best practices in the mining sector and to contribute to positioning Pact as a thought and practice leader in the field of mining, ASM formalization, and development. The Program Officer will be responsible for contributing to the development, implementation, and monitoring of project work plans, and liaising with country-based project teams to ensure adherence to best practices and standards. The candidate will be required to represent Pact at technical meetings and forums with key donors. The position will report to Daniel Stapper, Senior Program Office. Key Responsibilities Designing and implementing, with support from the M2M team, development programs focusing on the diverse needs of the ASGM sector. Contribute to Pact’s technical excellence in relation to working on gold in all stages of the mineral supply chain, and with diverse stakeholder groups. Represent Pact’s technical capabilities and promote Pact’s programming at donor meetings, internal events and national/international gold, mercury, and cyanide conferences. Contribute to the development of popular and peer-reviewed publications as well as communications materials for delivery through multiple media channels. Remain abreast of trends and research findings regarding mining sector issues, corporate responsibility, regulatory frameworks, industry standards and best practice in the mining sector and participate in disseminating them to country offices and relevant communities of practice. Contribute to Pact’s due diligence programs - to ensure engagement with gold mining companies & organizations meets international standards, especially OECD guidance. Support field offices in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks involved in working with the mining sector, including human security and health risks associated with gold mining. Play a role in business development by providing technical and business expertise and guidance, networking with donors to gather intelligence on up-coming funding opportunities, ensuring proposals are technically sound, and capitalizing upon Pact’s worldwide knowledge base. Ensuring quality programming Provide technical support and ongoing oversight to projects in the mining sector. Share best practices with project staff on regular basis using multiple communications channels and mechanisms, and support the integration of best practices into Pact’s programming. Contribute to synergizing and mentoring Pact’s dispersed talent in country offices. Provide technical assistance to field offices so that they better understand and are better able to meet industry standards and expectations of donors. Support implementation of the M2M portfolio by sourcing consultants, interviewing program staff, developing or reviewing SOWs/TORs, and reviewing reports and project documentation. Offer technical guidance to country offices to support effective and efficient spending of project funds on programming and integrated learning. Provide technical oversight to, and management of gold related programs, as assigned. Develop and monitor implementation of project work plans; support skills development and mentoring; and participate in self and peer performance assessments. Innovative program design, monitoring and evaluation Contribute to technical learning across Pact on gold mining issues by staying up-to-date on best practices and research, networking with global technical stakeholders, and sharing learning in relevant and actionable ways across the organization. Contribute to ensuring the mining sector is part of our Integrated Approach to maximize quality programming and impact and on the sharing of learnings across the organization and externally. Work closely with technical staff to ensure integration across sectors and core competencies. Contribute to technical aspects of proposal development (e.g. design workshops, technical reviews, bid reviews, and donor strategies). Participate in scoping trips, proposal design meetings, recruitment of partners, responses to donor questions, and presentations to donors, when appropriate. Under the guidance of the Senior Program Officers and M2M leadership, forge partnerships during pre-positioning and proposal development, building on previous strategic and technical experience with partners. Basic Requirements Bachelor’s degree (at minimum) in Geosciences, Engineering, Mining, or related field. Preference will be given to candidates with technical skills in exploration, engineering, mine development or similar technical areas. 5 years’ experience working in international development and/or corporate responsibility (3-4 years of experience if candidate has a Master’s or higher degree). Experience working within ASGM contexts or on ASGM projects. Please list or describe these projects in your CV or cover letter. Strong planning and management skills, with evidence provided in cover letter. Ability and willingness to multitask, balancing and adapting to frequently changing priorities. Ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with donors, local partners, host governments and other implementing organizations, as well as Pact staff. Experience in fund raising (proposal writing) and project management (evidence to be provided in cover letter). Experience with the mining sector, to be explained in cover letter: could include mineral extraction and processing; chemical-free gold processing; health and safety; environmental regulation; mining governance instruments and bodies; best practice and international standards (especially OECD); trade, supply chains and market access, etc. Knowledge and experience in mercury reduction in ASGM contexts, is highly desired, and should be evidenced in cover letter. Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, especially word, excel and PowerPoint (at minimum). Excellent written and oral communications in English, and preferably (at least) 1 additional language. Professional writing experience: experience in writing technical reports or similar. Travel time required for this position is estimated to be 30%, but can be up to 50%. If this will be a challenge for applicant, relevant details should be indicated in cover letter. Pact provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Please apply here at https://careers-pactworld.icims.com/jobs/1126/program-officer-%28gold-focus%29%2c-m2m/job
Central African Republic : the African Union on the footsteps of Russian-Sudanese efforts for peace https://africandailyvoice.com/en/20...ion-footsteps-russian-sudanese-efforts-peace/ 2019-01-07Central African Republic, POLITICS NEWSROOM (ADV) – An international peace mission composed of UN officials, the African Union (AU), and diplomats from bordering countries of the Central African Republic (CAR) is expected next Tuesday in the Central African capital Bangui, said Sunday the press spokesman of the Central African Presidency. The mission includes UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Smaïl Chergui and Foreign Ministers from neighboring countries. According to the communication advisor and spokesperson of the Central African presidency, Albert Yaloké-Mokpème, the purpose of this mission is to agree with the Central African State of the places and dates of the various meetings between the Central African Government and the armed groups active across the country. At the end of this meeting under the auspices of the AU, the parties concerned will have to proceed to the final signing of the documents, in Bangui. The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration into civilian life of armed groups will be on the agenda of the meeting, Yaloké-Mokpème said. As a prelude to this meeting of national reconciliation, the Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadéra consulted with the political, religious and social entities of the country. According to the exchanges, it emerged that the planned discussions must be held in strict compliance with the Constitution and that there should be no amnesty for perpetrators of crimes committed in the territory, with a view to ensure zero impunity. d© Bur-csa – A.H / N.A – African Daily Voice (ADV) – Follow us on Twitter : @ADVinfo_eng
You're incredible. I have no idea how you find this stuff let alone how you even think of what to look for, but yeah, it all adds up to tell the story. Well done!
Thank you very much! years of trial and error, lol. Tomorrow is the Bambari festival and that will signal stabilization in the area. I do see some news coming hopefully soon from Axmin and also based on that December 24th interview.
Important Dates Regarding The Central African Republic Over The Next 3 Weeks January 10th-11th - Bambari Food Festival. National Holiday and will promote the freedom of Bambari. This town is located just south of Axmin's gold deposit and has been under rebel control since 2013 until recently. Very important strategic location. January 24th - African Union & United Nations will host a meeting in Khartoum(Sudan) between the CAR government and all rebel groups. This should be the final signing of peace. Even getting half of the groups to agree is a major boost to stabilization January 30th-31st - United Nations will either renew or let expire the weapons embargo that has been in place since 2013. There is a strong consensus that the embargo will drop and FACA soldiers will get high end military equipment to help finish off any rebels left All this information can be found on the Axmin facebook page. However some of it might need to be translated into english.
Recent articles about the central african republic C. Africa army head came to Russia for training: minister - https://finance.yahoo.com/news/c-africa-army-head-came-russia-training-minister-103935828.html Central African Republic Open to Russian Military Base - https://themoscowtimes.com/news/central-african-republic-open-to-russian-military-base-64091 CAR sets peace talks for January 24: AU - https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/car-sets-peace-talks-for-january-24-au-20190110 Sudan in favor of a permanent return to peace in CAR -
Central African Republic: the army gradually resumes its provisions before the crisis https://africandailyvoice.com/2019/...NNEp_qa3Y6ZPI_KXkqipQJ5p3hXVJWgxbDgglSAHkC0bg Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR) - The Central African army is becoming more powerful and regaining control of several cities once occupied by rebels. The city of Bocaranga in the Northeast is taken over without a fight on January 7, 2019. The Central African Armed Forces (FACA), dislocated since the seizure of power of the Seleka rebellion in 2013, began to restructure with the support of the European mission EUTM-RCA but especially the Russian instructors, who train them in handling weapons and fighting techniques. Even though several cities still remain controlled by rebels, who continue despite the UN embargo on arms to rearm, the national army, which launched the reconquest of cities is moving forward in its project, a wish the most money of the population, already bruised by the crisis. The city of Bocaranga, a sub-prefecture of Ouham Pendé in the north, formerly occupied by the rebels of 3R Sidiki Abbas, returns under the control of the army, after a first attempt last December. According to ADV information, the warlord Sidiki has entrenched himself 40 km from the city. Angry, his elements attacked, looted and robbed some residents near Bouar in the prefecture of Nana-Mambéré. "The population is jubilant to welcome its army, after six years of absence in the city. But we do not want a joint operation with Minusca, "said a resident joined by ADV. After Paoua, Bangassou, Sibut, Bambari, Bouar Amdafok, Obo, Mobaye, Alindao, Ippy ... there remain only three sensitive cities namely Bria, Kaga-Bandoro and Ndélé, controlled by the Séléka, so that the army restores its supremacy . Security observers told ADV that the task is difficult but not impossible. "There are too many manipulations of rebel groups, who are fighting to control the natural resources for the benefit of some foreign powers, as denounced in his speech to the nation, the Central African President, on the occasion of the New Year . The CAR remains sovereign and will triumph, "said the observer. The Central African Army, expects more than 4,000 weapons from Russia, several thousand others and equipment from China, Belgium but remains under the embargo imposed by the UN Security Council while rebels, continue to arm themselves under the helpless eye of the United Nations, which only denounces reports.
AXMIN Chairman and CEO Provides Update for 2019 https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42166/AXMIN-Chairman-and-CEO-Provides-Update-for-2019 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2019) - AXMIN Inc. (TSXV: AXM) ("AXMIN" or the "Company") Chairman and CEO Lucy Yan provides an update for 2019 commenting as follows: 2018 was a transformational year for our Company. Royalty payments together with the resolution of the long-standing accounts payable have placed AXMIN on a strong foundation and we intend to build on this foundation in 2019. Our main focus will be to become operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) to develop the Passendro asset. AXMIN has maintained a constant presence in country during this difficult time and enjoys an excellent relationship with the authorities in Bangui and also in Bambari. We are monitoring the security situation carefully and when security returns, we have plans in place to renew our operation. We note that the CAR arm forces (FACA) have been deployed to Bambari and are now being deployed in surrounding areas. We are informed by the authorities in Bangui that we should anticipate being operational again in the near future. To this end, we are expanding our presence in country and will add additional senior staff to assist this process. AXMIN has been approached by several potential strategic partners to assist with the development of the asset. The Company will commence a formal process to select the strategic partner once we have clarity on timing the return to Ndassima. We have completed an online data room for this purpose. The selection criteria will favor very large well capitalized companies with mining and infrastructure construction experience in Africa. The first objective will be to complete a site survey and then commence a phased development plan with rapid production being the priority. Going forward, AXMIN will have two distinct parts to our operation in that we anticipate having royalty income from our assets and having operational income from the CAR asset. In order to better facilitate transparency and maximize shareholder value, the Company is investigating how best to structure these two separate activities. AXMIN is taking advice in this regard and may create a separate entity for the purpose of realizing royalty income from Senegal and other potential assets that may be added. In 2019, the Company looks forward to being more communicative with our shareholders. We have commenced a presence on social media and will be providing an updated company presentation as well. Management is looking forward to another strong year for the Company in 2019 and will keep the market updated with further press releases on each of the matters above when appropriate. About AXMIN AXMIN is a Canadian exploration and development company with a strong focus on the African continent. AXMIN continues to closely monitor the political situation at its Feasibility Stage Passendro Gold Project in the Central African Republic. For more information regarding AXMIN visit our website at www.axmininc.com. Please also visit us on Facebook. For additional information, please contact AXMIN Inc.: Lucy Yan Chairman and CEO [email protected] AXMIN Inc. General Enquiries David de Jongh Weill Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary [email protected] +65 9781 8281 Investor Relations [email protected] www.axmininc.com
Note: The UPC was the main rebel group that controlled Bambari, Ndassima and the surrounding area. That group has now been removed, thus giving the government room to move in and secure everything. Axmin's gold deposit is in Ndassima. Despite Ali Darassa escaping, he has no force to command and his funding sources are now gone. https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.co...VkOE263WDkHO3xklcxPWuqEoSgfCpagbzIycISpYWJAfQ Sunday, January 13, 2019 around 6 am, after the complete destruction of the UPC military bases, the Portuguese forces left Bambari for the village Gbokologbo , second stronghold of the UPC in Ouaka , 60 kilometers on the Alindao axis . The objective according to the Minusca , clear the rebels in all the sector close to Bambari . Meanwhile, Rwandan soldiers from Minusca , based in the Alindao sub-prefecture , have been alerted of the next operation that will take place in the second stronghold of the UPC in Ouaka . Immediately, they spent the night from Saturday to Sunday, January 13 25 kilometers from Gbokologbo , blocking the northern exit of the rebels to Alindao . At the same time, the Portuguese forces , which are progressing from Bambari, begin to confront the rebels of the UPC 40 kilometers from Bambarito Digui village . As the fight progressed , the Portuguese advanced dangerously from Gbokologbo . Only 5 kilometers away, rebel leader Ali Darassa and his friend Hassa BOUBA , former advisor to President Faustin Archange TOUADERA , called for a cease-fire to negotiate. While the Minusca poses its conditions, including the dismantling of all the barriers, as well as the non-circulation of rebels with guns in the corner , Ali Darassa accepts all these imposed conditions. As a good rogue, rebel leader Ali Darassa and some of his men, including Hassan Bouba quietly left the village. As if that were not enough, some rebels came out behind the Rwandan soldiers and opened fire. Immediately, the Portuguese and Rwandan forces entered the Gbokologbo village to drive out the rebels. Here too, all the UPC bases were destroyed by the Minusca forces . While rebel leader Ali Darassa and his friend Hassan BOUBA fled to the town of Ngakobo , much to everyone's surprise, Hassan BOUBA was released on Tuesday (January 15th) in Ndélé , the provincial capital of Bamingui-Bangoran . Immediately, he is summoned by gde to leave the city. Since then, he is no longer visible. For the time being, no rebel, at least in weapon or outfit , is no longer visible in Bambari and Gbokologbo .
ECCAS Ambassador Expects CAR Peace Agreement To Be Reached At Khartoum Meeting https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/eccas-ambassador-expects-car-peace-agreement-530913.html MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2019) The Economic Community of Central African States' (ECCAS) ambassador to the Central African Republic (CAR) told Sputnik on Wednesday that he believed the CAR government and the representatives of the country's militia groups would be able to reach a peace deal during their upcoming meeting in the Sudanese capital. A week ago, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry announced that the next round of peace talks would be held in Khartoum on January 24. "I expect an agreement between the CAR government and the 14 armed groups invited for the dialogue ... ECCAS does support an inclusive agreement for peace in CAR," Adolphe Nahayo, who will be part of the ECCAS delegation to the meeting, said. The Central African Republic has been marred by clashes between the predominantly Muslim armed group Seleka, the Christian Anti-balaka militia, and the government forces since 2012. In August 2018, Seleka and the Anti-balaka militia agreed to establish a platform for consultations on sustainable peace in the African nation. The groups then also called on the government to seek help from Russia, the European Union, and other regional and international players in the reconciliation efforts.
The Central African Republic gets set for free trade https://www.uneca.org/stories/central-african-republic-gets-set-free-trade Yaounde, 18 January 2019 (ECA) – A total of 83 leaders from the public and private sectors of the Central African Republic (CAR) have completed a three-day training to appropriate rules of origin procedures for accrediting national industrial products into the ECCAS-CEMAC Harmonized Preferential Tariff regime. Facilitated by the Subregional Office for Central Africa of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the training took place in Bangui as part of a series that has already benefitted local investors and administrative officials in Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The series of training ultimately seeks to fully activate free trade within the ECCAS and help to operationalize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose legal instruments were signed on 21 March 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. The trainees are expected to use the insights from the workshop to make better use of the current preferential tariff regime in place across ECCAS countries, given that current ECCAS arrangements have removed tariffs from the intraregional export-import of items that have been locally produced and transformed, yet were little known or applied on the field. "In prelude to our exposure to the huge opportunities the continental marketplace (AfCFTA), the appropriation of the sub-regional market is a challenge that we must first tackle together as the public and private sector” said the CAR Minister of Trade and Industry – Mr. Come Hassan, who opened the training session. “This training, which is an essential link in the chain leading us towards a free trade area, will therefore plug the knowledge gaps we face around the contours of intra-African trade,” he added. He said it was high time the CAR worked to the extent that its “market becomes a supplier” of finished products to the Central African subregion and beyond. For his part, Mr. Simon Fouda – Economic Affairs Officer and Representative of the Director of ECA's Subregional Office for Central Africa, called on the beneficiaries of the training to immerse themselves in the mastery procedures for benefitting from the CEEAC-CEMAC preferential tariff for local industrial products, as this will "concretely exude the benefits of the Central African Free Trade Area". Tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as limited economic diversification and product complementarity among Central African states have contributed to the lower performance of the subregion in terms of intra-Africa trade, which stands at about 3% against the African average of 17%. The Bangui training brings the number of persons trained to take advantage of the ECCAS-CEMAC Harmonized Preferential Tariff regime to boost intraregional trade in Central Africa to almost 400 across six countries of the subregion. Actors in the rest of the countries of the subregion will also be reached. Funding for the activity was made possible thanks to a contribution agreement signed by the European Union (EU) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) for the further harmonization of ECCAS and CEMAC trade policy instruments. -ENDS- Issued by: The Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) P.O. Box 14935 Yaounde, Cameroon Tel: (+237) 222504348 / 222504315 / 222504321 Email: [email protected] Media Contacts Abel Akara Ticha – Communication Officer Tel: 237 222504348
Peace Talks Between Rebels & Central African Republic Have Begun Before reading the article below, keep in mind that the CAR government has already taken back a significant amount of area through it's FACA forces, with the help of the UN and Russia. The peace talks and embargo only speed things up, but Axmin announced their update without any regards to the events taking place. The company will get back on the claim either way. https://africandailyvoice.com/en/20...s-inter-central-african-talks-khartoum-sudan/ NEWSROOM (ADV) – Inter-Central African peace talks in Central Africa are opening on Thursday, January 24, 2019 in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. The armed groups and the government are scheduled to meet in the Sudanese capital from 24 to 30 January to discuss the issues of peace in order to truly initiate the disarmament of armed groups for an end of the crisis in the Central African Republic, which is sinking into violence for several decades. Several personalities and representatives of armed groups are invited by the African Union. Almost all armed groups have agreed to take part in these exchanges, despite the context of tensions in some cities in the interior of the country. These so-called “last chance” talks present several issues. They come a the government launched the process of justice, something that these groups do not admit and advocate amnesty yet denounced by all. The division of power, especially the prime minister, is part of the demands of these armed groups, who then demand a government of national unity. This dialogue will open in a context of Western interferences following the Russian presence which made a remarkable diplomatic breakthrough for two years, after having been authorized by the UN Security Council to deliver arms to the Central African Armed Forces and to train them in handling these weapons. Also without losing sight of geopolitical and geostrategic issues. Already, in a statement, the government invites the peace-loving Central Africans to mobilize behind the negotiating team with the firm intention of reaching a compromise with the armed groups, in the strict respect of the Constitution, the National Unity, Territorial Integrity, Secular and Republican Form of the State and Conclusions of the Bangui National Forum. This dialogue of Khartoum, which is the first step according to the AU calendar, comes five months after the Russian initiative that brought together the 5 most influential rebel leaders of the country, who signed an agreement to guarantee the success of the African Peace Initiative.
CAR / Khartoum peace talks: Central African government and rebels actively seeking compromise to achieve lasting peace https://africandailyvoice.com/2019/...n-compromis-pour-parvenir-a-une-paix-durable/ 2019-01-26Central African Republic , POLITICS Khartoum, Sudan (ADV) - At the end of a first day of exchange and contact between Central African rebels and the Bangui government, everything gives the impression that clashes and misfortunes will be the ills that will now befall any nobody lurking or not in the shadows who would try to destabilize the Central African Republic; the willingness of the various protagonists of the Khartoum dialogue has been shown and we can no longer manifest in the early hours of the talks prepared since 2017, under the auspices of the African Union and initiated at the end of August by the Russian Federation, always here at Khartoum. In the sudden capital, on 25 January, the Central African armed groups said they were optimistic about the continuation of the dialogue that takes place in the presence of the organizers and all the delegations that came to support the Central African brothers in this important moment in their history, in the search for lasting peace and national reconciliation for all the children of the country ... In their words, we mean a will to make a clean sweep of the past and disputes that have lasted too long, as evidenced by these words of a political adviser of the FPRC, Abakar Salom. Extract. For its part, the Central African government, through its head of mission in Khartoum, Firmin Ngrebado, hailed the fact that the representatives of the armed groups are all in favor of a peace agreement to get the country out of the deadlock and security. to truly rebuild. The government and rebel groups will therefore actively and responsibly seek this compromise, a prerequisite for the return of peace in the Central African Republic. An episode that promises to be difficult, according to some observers, to the extent that, according to them, the main demand made by the armed groups revolves around the division of power and the request for a government of national unity. However, it is important to note that at this stage of the exchanges, the demands of the rebel groups have already been heard by the Central African government. The government will certainly share its answers in the hours or days to come ... Meanwhile, all the actors and organizers of these meetings welcomed the first moments of this dialogue and especially the day of 25 January 2019 behind closed doors, marked by a presentation on the origin of the conflict in Central Africa, the government statement of the Central African Mission in Khartoum and exchanges between the two sides in a question-and-answer format. The rest of the process is certainly to come, but in Khartoum for the moment, on the future of the CAR, it is the tranquility that reigns.
Bangui calls for UN arms embargo to be lifted https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6640235/Bangui-calls-UN-arms-embargo-lifted.html By AFP PUBLISHED: 08:35 EST, 28 January 2019 | UPDATED: 10:00 EST, 28 January 2019 The prime minister of Central African Republic led a rally of around 3,000 people on Monday calling for a global arms embargo to be lifted ahead of a UN meeting later this week. The mineral-rich country, wracked by ethnic and religious conflict since 2013, has been subject to a UN Security Council arms and ammunition embargo for the past five years. Speaking on a podium in Bangui's central Place des Martyrs, Prime Minister Mathieu Simplice Sarandji said: "This is a lock that deserves to be opened, this is an embargo which strikes our defence and security forces." "The government respects the embargo while armed groups receive weapons! The people of Central African Republic can not understand this law of double standards," he said to cheers from the crowds in the capital. The UN Security Council will on Thursday decide whether to renew the embargo, which bans weapon supplies to the country unless approved by a UN sanctions committee. The authorities in Bangui have repeatedly called on the UN to lift the embargo. The sanctions are aimed at ensuring imported weapons do not end up in the hands of militias in the corruption-prone country. The committee has previously approved shipments of weapons from France and Russia but Chinese weapons deliveries have been blocked. A UN report last year said "the recent acquisition of arms by the government has prompted factions" of militias to rearm. Several protesters on Monday blamed UN Security Council member France for maintaining the embargo. "We have soldiers who no longer work because of the embargo. It's because of France," said demonstrator Pierre. "Only the army can ensure the security of CAR. We want Central African Republic to regain its sovereignty, we want the total lifting of the embargo," said another protester, Fiacre. One of the world's poorest nations, Central African Republic has struggled to recover from a 2013 civil war that erupted when President Francois Bozize, a Christian, was overthrown by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels. In response, Christians, who account for about 80 percent of the population, organised vigilante units dubbed "anti-Balaka" in reference to the balaka machetes used by Seleka rebels. Thousands of people have died in the violence, 700,000 been internally displaced and another 570,000 have fled abroad.
Central African Republic Peace Talks 'Going Well' - Sudan Observer https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/central-african-republic-peace-talks-going-w-542163.html KHARTOUM (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th January, 2019) Talks in Khartoum to hammer out a peace deal between the government of Central African Republic and numerous armed groups are progressing, a Sudanese observer told Sputnik on Monday. The African Union-brokered negotiations have been on since last Thursday. They are observed by the UN, Sudan, Gabon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo. "The talks are going well ... The African Union has listened to them [sides] and put forth its first document with proposals for different parties," Ata Al-Mannan, a state minister with the Sudanese Foreign Ministry, said to Sputnik. The minister said observers were sifting through the union's recommendations, which will lay the groundwork for the future arrangement between all stakeholders in Central African Republic. The landlocked country has been suffering from a drawn-out conflict since a coup in 2013. Much of the fighting in recent years has been between Muslim-majority Seleka and Christian Anti-Balaka militias. The government has sent a delegation of senior ministers to Khartoum, led by the president's chief of staff, Firmin Ngrebada. Delegates from 14 armed militias are attending, as are religious leaders, human rights advocates and other civil society figures.
UN set to move toward easing Central African Republic arms embargo https://thedefensepost.com/2019/01/30/un-ease-central-african-republic-arms-embargo/ JANUARY 30, 2019 3 MINUTES READ The United Nations Security Council is set to open the door to an easing of the arms embargo on the Central African Republic, five years after the country stood on the verge of genocide. The government has repeatedly called for the restrictions to be lifted to allow arms supplies to shore up its security forces fighting militias that control much of the country. Prime Minister Mathieu Simplice Sarandji led a rally of around 3,000 people on Monday calling for the arms embargo to be lifted. The Security Council will vote on Thursday on a French-drafted resolution that calls for a review of the arms embargo by September if the Bangui government meets benchmarks in managing weapons, disarming militias and reforming its security sector, according to the text seen by AFP on Wednesday, January 30. The draft resolution would renew the embargo until January 2020 but open the door to a partial lifting that would allow the government to purchase weapons without seeking approval from the U.N. sanctions committee. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will submit a report by the end of July on whether the government has met the benchmarks after CAR presents its own findings by June 30. Diplomats said Wednesday they expect the measure to be adopted. “We think it’s a good idea to have a review of the embargo,” Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told AFP. Russia has stepped up its presence in the Central African Republic, training troops, brokering peace talks with militias, and providing security and advice to President Faustin-Archange Touadera, sparking tensions with France, the former colonial power. In August, Russia signed a military cooperation agreement with CAR offering the possibility for Central African officers and NCOs to be trained in Russian military schools. The European Union also trains Central African military personnel. In July, the bloc extended EUTM-RCA until 2020, pledging €25 million ($29 million) to help reform the country’s defense sector. The scope of the mission was also modified to give strategic advice to the president’s cabinet, interior ministry and police, as well as the military. The U.N. sanctions committee has previously approved shipments of weapons. In December, France handed over 1,400 AK-47 assault rifles and three amphibious vehicles to the Central African Republic to shore up its beleaguered armed forces, and in 2017, the embargo was lifted to allow delivery of 1,700 Russian weapons for FACa. France, Belgium, China and the U.S. have all recently supplied equipment for CAR’s military, but that equipment is understood not to include weaponry. In June, France, the U.S. and the United Kingdom put a hold on a request from Central African Republic for U.N. Security Council approval of weapons shipments from China. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the outgoing U.N. special envoy to the CAR, said in September that the need for weapons was “undeniable” as the Central African Republic government builds its armed forces, but urged transparency in the flow of arms. “China, but also the United States, have proposed new quantities of weapons,” Onanga-Anyanga said. “It’s for a good reason.” Russia’s Ambassador to CAR Sergey Lebanov said earlier in September that a second shipment of Russian arms and ammunition was “in preparation,” and would be delivered once approved by the Security Council. Averting genocide The U.N. arms embargo was imposed in 2013 when the country descended into violence after President Francois Bozize, a Christian, was overthrown by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels. At the height of the bloodshed in 2013, France warned that the country was on the verge of a genocide with reports of atrocities committed by roaming militias. In 2017, a similar warning came from then-U.N. aid chief Stephen O’Brien. The vote at the council comes as the latest round of peace talks between the government and armed militias stumbled in Khartoum over demands for an amnesty for rebels. It is the the eighth bid in six years to agree a lasting peace. The last attempt, in 2017, was forged with the help of the Catholic Church, but fighting resumed within a day, leaving 100 dead. The Sudan-hosted talks which opened last week are expected to continue for up to three weeks. The draft resolution also renews the mandate of a panel of experts who reported to the council last month that fighters of the former Seleka alliance had received fresh weapons supplies from traffickers in Sudan. The militia groups are re-arming to counter the deployment of the newly trained and equipped government troops to their areas of influence, the panel’s report said. Despite reserves of diamonds, gold, uranium, copper and iron, Central African Republic remains one of the world’s poorest countries. Fighting broke out between the Seleka, a coalition of mainly Muslim rebel groups, and the mainly Christian anti-balaka militia in 2012. A peace deal was singed in January 2013, but Seleka rebels captured the capital Bangui that March and ousted President Francois Bozize. Seleka was officially disbanded within months, but many fighters refused to disarm, becoming known as ex-Seleka. Many others joined the anti-balaka militia to fight the Seleka, leading to a spiral of violence between groups along religious and ethnic lines. By the end of 2014, CAR was de facto partitioned – anti-balaka in the southwest and ex-Seleka in the northeast. Elected in 2016, Touadera’s weak government controls around a fifth of the country and relies heavily on the U.N. peacekeeping mission, Minusca, for support. The rest is controlled by at least 14 different militia groups who often fight each other for revenue from extortion, roadblocks or mineral resources. Violence since 2012 led to thousands of deaths. Nearly 700,000 people are displaced, 570,000 have fled the country and 2.9 million – 63 percent of the population – are in need of humanitarian aid, according to the U.N.
