Watchlist advocacy on the Central African Republic – Impact on international policy

1) Watchlist helps fill the information gap on children affected by armed conflict in Central African Republic:

In the absence of a functioning in-country MRM Task force, Watchlist’s findings from its field visit to the Central African Republic in February 2011 enabled the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to fill in information gaps. Watchlist/IDMC’s field researcher provided verbal and written input at the time when the Secretary-General’s report on children affected by conflict in the Central African Republic was being finalized, as well as when the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict negotiated its Conclusions on the Central African Republic.

2) Recommendations in Watchlist/IDMC’s report An Uncertain Future? are reflected in key UN documents:

Core recommendations include: 1) the reinforcement of the in-country MRM Task force, 2) the negotiations of a ceasefire agreement and subsequently action plans with the rebel group CPJP, 3) the need for the Central African government to end its support of community self-defense militias, and 4) a clear call for funding of programs for long-term reintegration programs for children formerly associated with armed forces and groups and other child protection programs.

See:

• Secretary-General’s report on the Central African Republic (April 2011)
• UN Security Council Conclusions on children and armed conflict in the Central African Republic (July 2011)