[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H1448-H1450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONDEMNING CONTINUED VIOLENCE AGAINST CIVILIANS BY ARMED GROUPS IN THE 
                        CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 387) condemning continued violence against 
civilians by armed groups in the Central African Republic and 
supporting efforts to achieve a lasting political solution to the 
conflict, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 387

       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;

[[Page H1449]]

       (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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Rhode Island.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 387.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Rhode Island?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 387 and thank my 
colleagues for their support of this bipartisan resolution.
  As the gentleman knows, the destabilizing overthrow of the Government 
of the Central African Republic, or CAR, in March 2013 has led to a 
proliferation of armed rebel groups which have been responsible for 
widespread atrocities based on religious or ethnic identities during 
this bloody conflict. In 2014, the U.N. concluded that CAR's minority 
Muslim community had been the target of ethnic cleansing, and multiple 
U.N. officials have warned of a risk of genocide.
  These armed groups continue to engage in gross human rights abuses, 
including violence, pillaging, and the illicit trafficking of natural 
resources such as ivory, gold, cattle, and diamonds.
  However, despite the lack of security around electoral polling 
stations, CAR has made significant progress toward democracy by 
conducting democratic elections, ultimately inaugurating President 
Touadera in March of 2016. Yet, armed groups still control much of the 
country's territory, ethnic and religious violence occurs frequently, 
and the central government still struggles with basic security and 
governance.
  Despite these challenges, the central government and armed groups 
signed a landmark peace deal in February of 2019 that lays out a path 
toward a unity government, demobilization of nonstate combatants, and 
the creation of interim-mixed security units compromising security 
forces and former rebels.
  The United States has a long history supporting CAR, establishing 
diplomatic relations in 1960 following their independence from France. 
U.S. bilateral aid to CAR totaled $34 million in fiscal year 2018, 
including $18 million in food aid, $13 million in security aid, and $3 
million in development aid.
  Despite this, the United Nations estimates 2.9 million people need 
humanitarian assistance, and over 640,000 people have been displaced 
due to this conflict, most of whom are children and women.
  The United States has played an important role in brokering peace in 
CAR, and is currently the largest international donor, helping to 
strengthen the central government, increase security, and maintain 
peace.
  Actors, such as Russia, have engaged in CAR in ways that are 
detrimental to American interests; therefore, it is vital that we 
continue to support the people of CAR in achieving peace and a 
democratic transition. That is why I am proud to sponsor this 
legislation, to reiterate that Congress and the United States 
Government is committed to achieving peace in CAR.
  Specifically, this resolution condemns violence against civilians, 
humanitarian workers, journalists, faith leaders, and United Nations 
peacekeepers by all armed groups operating within the Central African 
Republic.
  It welcomes the signing of the Khartoum Peace Agreement in February 
2019 and urges all parties to adhere to the terms of the agreement.
  It calls on the international community, including all members of the 
United Nations Security Council as well as neighboring countries, to 
continually reassess and implement strategies that demonstrate clear 
progress in achieving peace in the Central African Republic.
  It 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 peace agreement.
  It urges the State Department and USAID to take steps to ensure that 
American assistance programs support local sustainable agriculture, 
other development efforts to create human well-being, and peace in CAR.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution to condemn 
continued violence against civilians by armed groups in the Central 
African Republic and supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace in the 
country.
  I want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Cicilline and Congressman 
Fortenberry, for introducing this resolution and for their commitment 
to this important issue.
  Since the fighting began in 2013, thousands of civilians have been 
killed. Over half of the population is in need of humanitarian 
assistance, and more than 1 million people have been displaced from 
their homes.
  Still, today, most of the country remains under armed group control, 
and the democratically elected government continues to struggle to 
project any state authority. The humanitarian suffering is dire.
  I am also deeply concerned with the rapid increase in Russian 
activity across the country. AFRICOM Commander General Townsend 
testified

[[Page H1450]]

last month that Russia is deploying paramilitary contractors, 
extracting minerals, and attempting to buy influence in the Central 
African Republic. This includes the notorious Wagner Group mercenaries 
responsible for horrible atrocities in Libya and Syria. Russian malign 
activity in Central African Republic is further destabilizing this 
fragile and war-torn country.
  This resolution urges all parties to fully adhere to the terms of the 
February 2019 peace agreement and cease attacks on civilians. It also 
calls on the international community to increase engagement to support 
efforts to implement the peace agreement and combat Russian malign 
influence. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I again want to thank my colleagues for 
their hard work to highlight the situation in the Central African 
Republic.
  The U.S. is both the largest donor of humanitarian assistance and 
largest contributor to U.N. peacekeeping operations in the Central 
African Republic. Our assistance provides critical food and medicine to 
vulnerable and remote populations. However, the critical needs remain, 
and we must urge our partners to do more. Supporting lasting peace and 
efforts to stabilize the Central African Republic is in the U.S. 
interest.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for 
the purpose of closing.
  Mr. Speaker, I once again thank the chairman and ranking member for 
their support and urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1230

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 387, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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