We are currently setting-up the training on international humanitarian law (IHL) and PSV for the Central African armed forces (FACA), in cooperation with the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Bangui.

The objective of this project is to improve the behaviour of the Central African armed forces (FACA) by integrating International humanitarian law (IHL) and prevention of sexual violence (PSV) in the training delivered by the EUTM Bangui

After the eruption of the conflict in CAR in 2013 that saw widespread sexual violence against civilians, the country is undergoing an internationally supervised transition, including the deployment of the MINUSCA and of an EU CSDP military training mission (EUTM RCA). During the crisis, the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) were largely inefficient. The population considers that they failed to protect them and that they participated in the extra-judicial killings, the rapes and looting. In spite of the past misbehaviour, the deployment of FACA would be welcomed as the only symbol of state presence. But for that to be successful, the FACA would need to improve their capacities and especially their behaviour.

Members of the non-state armed groups during the 2013 – 2014 violence

Beyond peace intends to establish the training programme, by:

– conducting an applicable law analysis (instruments ratified by the CAR; national law, criminal procedure) in relation with the conflict and mainly the duties, obligations and limitations for the FACA

– conducting a contextual analysis (cultural aspects, religious and ethnic dimension possibly affecting training and behaviour; relation to power and authorities; learning and problem-solving traditions ; main weaknesses of FACA with regards behaviour; tactical environment

– designing training material that makes sense to FACA trainees and is adapted to CAR context.

The training, which will be integrated in the EUTM official training programme, will include: lectures for Commanders (including Command responsibility) and for troops (mainly based on Do’s and Don’ts), tactical exercises and assessment tools. Beyond peace has been working pro bono on this project for the past year. Thanks to the trust of the UK Embassy in Kinshasa and of the EUTM, Beyond peace will start the pilot project implementation as of July 2017.

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