The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) has followed with concern and dismay the recent developments in the Central African Republic which led to the forceful overthrow of the government.
The Commission strongly condemns this military takeover and underscores that the loss of lives is a serious violation of the rights guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which was ratified by the Central African Republic on 26 April 1986.
The Commission strongly condemns the pillaging and armed violence experienced by the people of Central African Republic and underscores that the perpetrators of these acts must be brought before the competent courts.
The Commission calls on those responsible for the military takeover to take the necessary measures to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of citizens across the country. The Commission emphasises that the Central African Republic has to comply with its regional and international human rights commitments.
The Commission underscores that the military takeover of power by the Seleka rebels is unconstitutional and violates the democratic principles and values upheld by the African Union in its Constitutive Act, the Lomé Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance ratified by the Central African Republic.
The Commission calls on the international community, in particular the AU and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), to take the necessary steps towards the restoration of constitutional order and for the implementation of the Libreville Agreements of 11 January 2013 towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis in the Central African Republic.
Banjul, 27 March 2013
