The International Support Group for Central Africa (GIS-RCA) held its second meeting on 17^th April in Bangui to discuss ways and means for a better implementation of the Khartoum Peace Agreement, in presence of Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra; UN Under Secretary for UN Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix; African Union (AU) Peace and Security commissioner, Smaïl Chergui; European Union (EU) Director for Africa, Koen Vervaeke; and the Special Representative for the Secretary General of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Adolphe Nahayo.

EU Director for Africa praised as ‘’a moment of opportunity and hope’’ this first post-Peace Agreement meeting. It has given the EU representative the opportunity to highlight “the courage of the Central Africans who implemented an inclusive government with a very clear vision from the head of State and the head of Government”. 

Prime Minister, Firmin Ngrebada, lauded the commitment of all parties involved in the process, mentioning that what is yet to show is good will to make their Peace Agreement a reality.

Throughout this day of consultations, the AU/UN/EU joint-mission strongly underlined the necessity of outreach and communication measures. As Smaïl Chergui said, ‘’the adherence to the content of the Agreement by the entire Central African population is an absolute necessity’’.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix saluted the collaboration between the AU, the UN and the EU that led the successful negotiations around the Peace Agreement signed on 6 February 2019. He appreciated the amount of work being done in the country, that compares to none elsewhere. He further underlined the key role played by the deputies in the advancement of the peace process that represents ‘’an exceptional and historic opportunity to bring back peace and stability in the country”. He encouraged all actors for more outstanding actions. “Negotiating and signing a Peace Agreement is only a step towards peace, a step where there is no room for violence,” he insisted.

Emphasizing his government's desire to go further in its actions, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, called on the international community to reinforce its involvement in the implementation of the Peace Agreement, specifically, its support to the Ministry of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration which is facing “a major challenge in terms of implementation and access to promised funding.”

Other measures to better implement the Peace Agreement have been mentioned, such as the adoption of bills by the National Assembly related to the decentralization and the Electoral Code. The members of the joint-mission also greeted the decrease of violence since January, with the hope that the trend will continue, to ease the forthcoming elections as well as activities to ensure the economic revival and development of the country.