[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 387 Engrossed in House (EH)]
<DOC>
H. Res. 387
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,
March 3, 2020.
Whereas the overthrow of the Government of the Central African Republic in March
2013 and subsequent violence has led to the proliferation of multiple
armed groups, which have been responsible for widespread atrocities
based on perceived or actual religious or ethnic identities;
Whereas the United Nations (UN) concluded in 2014 that the Central African
Republic's minority Muslim community had been the target of ethnic
cleansing, and multiple UN officials have warned of a risk of genocide;
Whereas, according to the United Nations, an estimated 2,900,000 people are in
need of humanitarian assistance, over 590,000 Central Africans are
refugees in neighboring countries, and over 640,000 people are
displaced, most of whom are women and children;
Whereas armed groups continue to engage in gross human rights abuses, violence,
pillaging, and the illicit trafficking of natural resources such as
ivory, gold, cattle, and diamonds;
Whereas armed groups have intentionally targeted personnel from the United
Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central
African Republic (MINUSCA), aid workers, and journalists, making the
Central African Republic one of the world's most dangerous operating
environments for humanitarian actors;
Whereas the Central African Republic has made significant progress toward
democracy by conducting democratic elections despite the lack of
security around electoral polling stations and some irregularities, and
inaugurated President Faustin-Archange Touadera in March 2016;
Whereas the establishment of the Special Criminal Court in June 2017 and the
creation of more than 1,000 peace committees across the country
demonstrate a genuine commitment to justice and accountability on the
part of the people of the Central African Republic; and
Whereas, since 2013, the United States has been the largest single donor to the
humanitarian response in the Central African Republic, promoted peace
and social cohesion, supported the deployment of MINUSCA, enacted
sanctions against senior leaders of armed groups, and provided life-
saving assistance to communities in the Central African Republic
affected by the crisis: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes that strong United States leadership and support for
the stability of the Central African Republic is necessary for the
security and future stability of the region;
(2) condemns violence against civilians, humanitarian workers,
journalists, faith leaders, and United Nations peacekeepers by all armed
actors operating within the Central African Republic;
(3) welcomes the signing of the Khartoum Peace Agreement in February
2019 and urges all parties to adhere to the terms of the agreement,
including participating in efforts to disarm and demobilize combatants,
to advance long-term sustainable peace for the citizens of the Central
African Republic;
(4) supports continued efforts by the Government of the Central
African Republic, with support from the African Union and United
Nations, to combat the threat posed by armed groups;
(5) calls on the international community, including all members of
the United Nations Security Council as well as neighboring countries, to
support constructive efforts toward peace in the Central African
Republic;
(6) calls on the Government of the Central African Republic to
ensure that all state security forces adhere to civilian command,
refrain from human rights abuses, and sever any and all links to armed
groups except in the framework of disarmament, demobilization, and
reintegration under the Khartoum Agreement; and
(7) urges the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID), in coordination
with other relevant Federal departments and agencies, to--
(A) provide life-saving humanitarian and development
assistance to support vulnerable populations and build local
capacity to support sustainable agricultural production in the
Central African Republic;
(B) support the efforts of local communities,
nongovernmental organizations, and the Government of the Central
African Republic to prevent atrocities along religious and
ethnic lines, including through programs that focus on
peacebuilding, reconciliation, human rights, good and inclusive
governance, justice, security sector reform, and the
implementation of the Khartoum Agreement;
(C) work with the United Nations, African Union, and
regional governments and organizations to enforce existing
sanctions related to the Central African Republic and address
cross-border flows of illicit arms, natural resources, and armed
groups;
(D) ensure that United States assistance is well-coordinated
among agencies and with other donors to maximize diplomatic,
development, and defense resources to support peace, stability,
and the Central African Republic's journey to self-reliance;
(E) undertake efforts to prioritize mutual interests between
the United States and the Central African Republic and take
steps to position the United States as a leader working with the
Government of the Central African Republic in the areas of
reconstruction, postconflict remediation, and institution
building, as well as taking steps to combat Russian influence in
the country and region;
(F) support rehabilitation and reintegration programs led by
the Central African Republic Government, nongovernmental
organizations, and regional government partners for children,
youth, and adults that have demobilized from armed groups,
including the Lord's Resistance Army;
(G) ensure that the United States Embassy in Bangui,
including USAID presence, and the Department of State Africa
Bureau have adequate staffing and funding to carry out their
programs and objectives; and
(H) ensure that the United Nations Multidimensional
Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic
has adequate resources, including personnel, temporary forward
operating bases, and force enabling equipment, to carry out its
civilian protection mandate and more effectively project the
presence of the United Nations.
Attest:
Clerk.