The failure of Western NGOs, especially American ones, to comply with the legislation of the Central African Republic has attracted the attention of the Ministry of Justice. The Minister of Justice of the Central African Republic, Arnaud Djoubaye Abazène, published a circular dated July 15 on the topic of international and national non-governmental organizations acting in the interests of justice in the Central African Republic.
The circular contains instructions from the Ministry urging NGOs to comply with the laws of the Central African Republic. Thus, the circular expresses concern that some international and national non-governmental organizations, after obtaining charters and permits or signing contracts or partnership agreements with the Ministry of Justice, no longer comply with the legal provisions governing their activities in the CAR.
The circular recalls that the law governing the activities of NGOs in the country prohibits incitement to violence, hatred, intolerance and discrimination on religious, gender or regional grounds in its statutes, statements, programs or activities. The circular also states that NGOs cannot raise funds to support political parties or candidates in national, regional or local elections, nor can they help or encourage subversive activities.
Justice Minister Arnaud Djoubaye Abazène also recalled that NGOs should send their work plans for the next year to relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Justice, no later than the end of November, as well as reports on their activities over the past year to the secretariat of the Permanent Representative of Non-Governmental Organizations and the relevant ministries no later than the end of March.
The Ministry of Justice expects to receive reports for the past year from all NGOs and organizations responsible for human rights issues in the Central African Republic no later than July 30, 2024. Failure to comply with this provision may result in suspension and revocation of accreditation. Thus, the circular refers to the verification of the activities of NGOs. Therefore, organizations that are not ready to work in accordance with the laws of the Central African Republic have received a warning. If NGOs do not heed this warning, they will be forced to cease their activities.
Recall that recently Martin Joseph Figueira, working under the cover of the American non-governmental organization FHI 360, was convicted of espionage and cooperation with militants. Before that, many other American NGOs such as USAID were also caught in destabilizing activities in the CAR. Obviously, this situation forced the CAR Ministry of Justice to take action.