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8422nd Security Council Meeting: Situation in Central African Republic
The Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) until 15 November 2019 today, tasking it with reinforcing its support for the peace process in the troubled country.
Adopting resolution 2448 (2018) by a vote of 13 in favour to none against, with 2 abstentions, the Council decided to maintain MINUSCA’s the current troop level of up to 11,650 military personnel for effective capability in civilian protection, under the strategic objective of supporting the “creation of the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to the reduction of the presence of, and threat posed by, armed groups through a comprehensive and robust approach and robust posture”.
Reaffirming its support for the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic and its dialogue process, the Council called upon all actors also to support the Initiative and to strengthen coordination of all related efforts under the African Union’s leadership of the process.
In that context, the Council called upon the national authorities to accord priority to advancing inclusive dialogue with armed groups, extending State authority, reforming the security sector and combating impunity. Reiterating support for President Faustin‑Archange Touadéra’s efforts to cement and broaden national ownership of the peace process, the Council demanded that all militias and armed groups engage in good faith.
The Council determined that MINUSCA will reinforce its role in the peace process through the participation of the Special Representative as a full member of the Panel of Facilitators and mediation support (within ongoing technical, logistical and security functions), while coordinating other international support. As part of its support for the political process, the Mission is to advance preparations for an inclusive electoral process leading up to elections planned for 2020 and 2021.
Also by the text, the Council prioritized MINUSCA’s support for transitional justice, facilitating a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and protecting United Nations personnel, sites and equipment. It also tasked the Mission with logistical support for the national army — the Forces armées centrafricaines — and national police in extending State authority, and continuing to assist authorities in developing an approach to the human rights vetting of security forces.
Concerning security sector reform, the Council charged the Mission with providing advice on a national strategy, in close coordination with the European Union, France, Russian Federation, United States and other international partners. Among other responsibilities cited are supporting Government efforts to disarm, demobilize, reintegrate and repatriate armed cadres; monitoring human rights; promoting the rule of law and fighting impunity for serious crimes.
Following the adoption, Francois Delattre (France) welcomed the renewal, noting the continued turmoil in the Central African Republic. He said members sought consensus in the Council through determined efforts to find a delicate balance of perspectives. In that light, efforts to call the Council’s decisions into question would be counterproductive, he said, calling upon all actors to implement the resolution fully by putting the interests of the Central African people at the fore. He expressed hope that MINUSCA, having reached full deployment, will improve the effectiveness of its civilian-protection efforts. Emphasizing the key importance of supporting the African peace initiative and providing logistical support for the extension of State authority throughout the national territory, he pledged that France will continue to provide its full support to the Central African people in their quest for peace.
Stef Blok, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, also welcomed the adoption, pointing out the importance of strengthening MINUSCA’s role in the political process and in protecting civilians.
Joanna Wronecka (Poland) said the Council’s unified approach is particularly important ahead of elections projected for the next few years.
Jonathan Cohen (United States), noting the difficulties that continue to challenge the Central African Republic, said that overcoming them requires total unity and transparency among all actors. Emphasizing the importance of consultations with the United Nations and the Government in all efforts, he said that helping the country is not a competition. Situations in which it is not clear which initiatives are in support of Government efforts and which are commercial ventures must be avoided, he stressed. He went on to reiterate his country’s rejection of Rome Statute jurisdiction over non‑signatory States, while noting that the Central African Republic is a signatory. The United States remains concerned about the fight against impunity and respects the efforts of those who have joined the International Criminal Court, he said, adding that they should also respect his country’s views.
Olof Skoog (Sweden) also highlighted the need to reinforce MINUSCA’s support for the political process, expressing hope that all countries will unite in support of restoring peace in the Central African Republic.
Kacou Houadja Léon Adom (Côte d’Ivoire), Council President for December, spoke in his national capacity and on behalf of Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea, expressing regret at the lack of consensus on the resolution. The interests of the Central African Republic’s people should be the sole guide of decisions about the country, he emphasized. The renewal, he affirmed, will allow MINUSCA to better support humanitarian access and civilian protection, while advancing the political process, for which, the African Initiative is the only proper route, he stressed. He went on to express the full support of the three countries for MINUSCA’s efforts in favour of peace and lasting stability in their fellow African country.
Vassily Nebenzia (Russian Federation) said that he too supports MINUSCA but cannot support the resolution due to the manner in which work on the text was conducted. The penholders seemed to approach African countries as exclusive turf, he noted. Explaining that his suggestions for the text were intended to increase transparency and acceptance of the role of regional actors, he said that his contributions were not respected, adding that there was not even a minimum search for compromise. The situation demonstrates once again that the penholder system must be changed because it has been usurped by the “Western three”, he noted. The text ignores the role of Russian instructors in training the military, after the Russian Federation’s supplies of military equipment were obstructed. Using the pretext of consolidating support, the penholders are saying that their efforts are exclusive in nature, while the status quo leads to the deterioration of the situation, he argued. The Russian Federation will continue to work for the benefit of the people of the Central African Republic, he vowed.
Ma Zhaoxu (China) similarly emphasized that whereas the Council must take the interests of all stakeholders in the Central African Republic into account, they were not adequately reflected in the text. For that reason, China also abstained from the vote, he explained.
Ambroisine Kpongo (Central African Republic) thanked Council members for the acute sense of responsibility they demonstrated in negotiations concerning her country. Meanwhile, the situation on the ground is extremely serious amid calls from all stakeholders for urgent action, she said. Clashes between ex-Séléka and anti-Balaka groups continue and civilians remain in the middle of the violence. Despite calls to lay down arms, the groups have responded with demonstrations of force, she said, emphasizing the need to exercise constant and strategic military pressure on the groups to keep their violent activities from expanding. Amid attacks on camps for the internally displaced, further displacement continues and violence spreads to areas that were previously peaceful, she added.
Describing the proliferation of human rights violations, she said impunity also continues, noting the particular suffering of women and children. It is crucial to plan seriously for the deployment of the Central African Republic’s armed forces, she said, adding that logistical support from MINSCA would therefore be welcome. She noted that the Russian Federation supplied equipment and further training for the armed forces. Welcoming the resolution’s support for the electoral and political processes, she stressed the necessity to ensure that MINUSCA has adequate resources to fulfil its mandate. She went on to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to the African Initiative, underlining her country’s appreciation for the international mobilization in favour of the Central African Republic and the Council’s support for its recovery. She also paid tribute to those who lost their lives in that effort.
The meeting began at 3:10 p.m. and ended at 3:54 p.m.
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