8455th Security Council Meeting: Situation in Central African Republic

Security Council extends sanctions on Central African Republic, panel of experts’ mandate, adopting Resolution 2454 (2019) at 8455th meeting.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 00:15:02
• Production Date: 31 January 2019
• Asset Language: Arabic; Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish
• Personal Subject: FRANÇOIS DELATTRE
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS MINE ACTION SERVICE - UNMAS; UNITED NATIONS MULTIDIMENSIONAL INTEGRATED STABILIZATION MISSION IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - MINUSCA
• Subject Topical: ARMED GROUPS; ARMS EMBARGO; DISARMAMENT; ILLICIT TRAFFIC; REPATRIATION; SANCTIONS; SECURITY SECTOR REFORM; TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
• Geographic Subject: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
• MAMS Id: 2353157
• Parent Id: 2352808

Description

The Security Council today decided to extend its sanctions regime on the Central African Republic — including an arms embargo, travel ban and assets freeze — until 31 January 2020, while also extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Central African Republic Sanctions Committee until 29 February 2020.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2454 (2019) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the 15-member entity expressed its intention to establish, no later than 30 April, clear and well‑identified key benchmarks concerning security sector reform; disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation; and the management of weapons and ammunition, which could help guide the Council in reviewing the arms embargo measures on the Government.

By other terms of the resolution, the Council further requested the Secretary-General, in close consultation with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), United Nations Mine Action Service and the Panel of Experts, to conduct, no later than 31 July, an assessment of progress.

The Council also expressed its intention to review the arms embargo measures on the Central African Republic’s security forces by 30 September, expressing particular concern about reports of illicit transnational trafficking networks that continue to fund and supply armed groups.

The representative of France, speaking as the pen-holder of the Council’s Central African Republic file and the main sponsor of the resolution, welcomed the Council’s unanimous adoption of the text against the backdrop of direct dialogue between parties. The resolution sends a clear message to those “who are rightly expecting much of the Council”, he said, underscoring the decision to establish a specific, operational road map that could lead to future changes to the arms embargo. Noting that the organ’s openness to such changes is based on real progress demonstrated by the Central African Republic’s armed forces, he stressed that the only viable solution to the conflict will be a political one, adding: “There has been a clear commitment by the Security Council, and this resolution shows it.”

Côte d’Ivoire’s representative also welcomed the Council’s spirit of compromise, with a view to helping the Central African Republic achieve progress. Developing a road map will make it possible to ease sanctions and support the implementation of security sector reform. Highlighting the ongoing synergy with stakeholders in the country, region and the international community, he said further progress lies ahead.

Also taking the floor, the Russian Federation’s delegate commended the representative of the Dominican Republic, Council President for January, for his work.

The meeting began at 5:23 p.m. and ended at 5:37 p.m.

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