Chapter III. PLEDGES height of recurrent crises – each as tragic as the other in terms of loss of human life and destruction – that have shaken the States of the sub-region, the Central African Republic has had to shelter up to more than 50,000 refugees. The countries of origin of the refugees living in the Central African Republic have in the meantime enjoyed civil peace and relative calm following major positive developments, particularly at the political and security levels. This positive environment has enabled a large return movement, with the repatriation of the great majority of refugee populations – a period which ended in 2007. The refugee population in the Central African Republic is currently around 20,000 people. Apart from refugee groups recently arrived as a result of the conflicts in Darfur in 2007, in the Equateur province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the activities of the LRA in 2009, the capital of the Central African Republic hosts a population of 5,564 so-called urban refugees of a range of nationalities. They are long-standing refugees, whose average stay in the Central African Republic is estimated at 15 or more years, and who in 2007 had already opted for local integration. An analysis of the family circumstances and profiles revealed that refugee status has spread over several generations, even though the objective grounds that motivated flight have ceased to exist. Moreover, these refugee populations, owing to their extended stay, speak the national language of the Central African Republic perfectly, and have maintained harmonious relations with the Central African people, thanks to historical, cultural, and social solidarity. Taking all of the above into account, the Government of the Central African Republic pledges, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Refugee Convention, to take all necessary and appropriate measures to give these populations who have decided to settle in the Central African Republic the means for their complete self-fulfilment and thereby give full expression and content to their choices. This specific pledge includes: 1. The adoption of guarantees to permit these refugees to enjoy socio-economic rights on the same basis as Central African citizens, including by granting easier access to land ownership, employment and money-making activities; 2. The establishment of a mechanism to acquire an alternative or intermediate status for which there will be no charge, including as regards the initial issuance of a resident permit which will be for the maximum authorized period of validity; 3. The implementation of a mechanism to make procedures easier for refugees seeking naturalization. 61