[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.