The Central African Republic (CAR) is neglected by international public opinion, whose attention is almost wholly focused on neighboring Darfur. Nevertheless, the civil war that raged there between 2002 and 2003 and the confrontations between the government and rebel forces continues, with dramatic consequences for the civilian population.
Bernadette Sayo has placed high hopes on action by the International Criminal Court and collaboration with international organisations. She herself had to leave the country with her children, with the help of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), for fear of reprisals.
Little is known about the situation in the CAR. What is going on there?
From 2002 to 2003, a conflict was mounted by rebels opposed to the Patassé government, led by General Bozizé. The army then asked for mercenary reinforcements from Bemba in the Congo and Miskine in Chad. In 2003, General Bozizé put himself in power by force of arms and later won a victory against Patassé in the presidential elections. The population could not forgive Patassé for asking for help from foreign mercenaries. As soon as Patassé had integrated them into the already demoralised regular army, they attacked their former leader.
Today, with the help of rebels from Chad and Sudan, these forces continue to fight Bozizé in the northeast, along the Sudanese border, to the point that one questions what responsibility the government of Sudan has in this conflict. The situation has not improved since 2003. In terms of rapes, forced disappearances, summary executions and torture, it is comparable to Darfur, except no one speaks about it.
Your organisation helps victims obtain justice and reintegrate economically and socially. Which is more important: to fight against impunity or reconstruct the future?
To reconstruct a future, one needs peace. True peace is peace in your heart that nourishes justice. OCODEFAD has about 2,000 members and is the only national victims’ organisation. We are convinced that it is time to break the silence. We have started projects such as microcredit, social medicine, education and legal assistance, but we lack resources. International organisations must assist African NGOs to strengthen their efforts because civil society is stronger than politics. About three months ago the rebels failed to take power but a strong mobilisation of NGOs alerted the public who put up roadblocks. Central Africans want no more violence!
There is currently a process before the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court concerning the CAR. What do you expect from this matter?
It is of major importance. After the Central African Appeals Court was declared incompetent, the Bozizé government filed a complaint to the international court against Patassé, Bemba and Meskin. The Court’s Attorney General sent a mission to Bangui, but up to this point there has been no investigation. This feeds feelings of frustration, injustice and revolt among the public because all those who committed atrocities are still at liberty. The situation could get worse - I’m thinking of what happened in Rwanda - while an investigation could have served as a powerful deterrent. Unfortunately, the international community appears to be interested in the CAR only with regard to the conflict in Darfur.