The three-day parley among the country’s stakeholders ended without achieving much.

After last-minute efforts by mediators, the Central African Republic, CAR, peace and reconciliation conference ended in the Congolese capital, Brazzaville, on Wednesday, July 23, 2014, with only the signing of a ceasefire agreement by leaders of the anti-Balaka and Séléka militias.

Radio France Internationale, RFI, yesterday, July 24, 2014, reported that it took the frantic efforts of the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS-designated mediator, Congolese President, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, to get Séléka to sign. The largely Moslem group had earlier insisted on the partition of the country into Moslem and Christian enclaves before signing any agreement – a demand that was rejected outright by the other stakeholders.

The deal was signed by Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, anti-Balaka Coordinator and Séléka’s Third-in-Command, Mohamed Moussa Dhaffane. They committed to end fighting, abuses by their fighters, ensure the cantonment of their men and also lift roadblocks to allow free movements in the areas they control. There was however no mention of a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, DDR programme; thus raising doubts about the viability of the deal. 

Back home in CAR, the spokesman of Séléka’s political wing, Habylah Awal, rejected the agreement, saying it did not concern the group. Mohamed Moussa Dhaffane, on the other hand, gave assurances that the leadership of the former ruling militia present at the signing of the deal was representative enough to get it applied. Earlier in the week, Awal defended Dhaffane’s demand for partitioning the country, arguing that a deal could not be signed with the largely Christian anti-Balaka militia until it had asked for forgiveness from Moslems for all the atrocities committed against them.

According to Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN Special Representative for Central Africa, the outcome of the conference was expected, given that the talks were concluded in just three days. On his part, former Prime Minister, Anicet Dologuélé, insisted on a close follow up of the Brazzaville Accord to ensure that the terms are implemented. Observers also note that it remains to be seen if the high commands of anti-Balaka and Séléka will bring their fighters under control. Divisions in the militias and their loose command structures do not suggest that any orders from above would be respected.