Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoSecurity Council
8467th Security Council Meeting: Situation in the Central African Republic
Peace Will Not Work without Unified Efforts By Neighbours, Partners African Union Cautions, as Foreign Minister Touts Progress
Amid a precarious humanitarian situation, the Central African Republic needs robust international support now more than ever before, as the country edges towards peace after the signing of a new peace agreement, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and other senior United Nations and international officials told the Security Council today.
Outgoing Special Representative Parfait Onanga-Nyanga emphasized: “The unified political support of this Council, the countries of the region and the international community will remain critical to the successful implementation of the 6 February peace agreement”, signed on 6 February by the Government and representatives of 14 armed groups. Presenting the latest report of the Secretary‑General on the situation in the Central African Republic (document S/2019/147), he stressed: “Never before has the support of the international community and the region been so vital for the Government and people of the Central African Republic.”
He cautioned, however, that while the signing of the peace agreement represents an important milestone on the path to lasting solution to years of conflict, it is “only a first step”. The Government and representatives of 14 armed groups signed the Bangui Accord for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic in the national capital on 6 February.
Mr. Onanga-Nyanga, who also heads the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), said the Bangui Accord differs from previous peace agreements, noting that it entails monitoring mechanisms and discussions on pressing issues, while supporting the Secretary-General’s vision on the primacy of the political arena.
Delivering a second briefing, the African Union’s Commissioner for Peace and Security asked the Security Council to consider adapting elements of MINUSCA to better match the current situation on the ground. Underlining the great needs of the people, Commissioner Smail Chergui said that some communities do not even know what a hospital is, appealing for immediate action to implement the Bangui Accord and give the people hope. “We don’t have any illusions,” he said. “Peace will not work unless the partners of the region unite their efforts,” he added. “The real work is beginning now that the agreement is signed.”
Echoing that sentiment were Léon Houadja Kacou Adom (Côte d’Ivoire), Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013); Koen Vervaeke, Managing Director for Africa of the European Union’s External Action Service; and Omar Hilale (Morocco), Chair of the Central African Republic configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission.
Mr. Hilale briefed on his fourth visit to the Central African Republic, soon after the peace agreement’s signing, saying that both the Government and the people await a strong signal of support for its implementation. Exchanges with civil society revealed an enormous appetite for peace and justice, as well as hope for a better future, he said. Communicating the agreement’s contents and challenges will be key, and translating the text into Sango, the national language, will facilitate ownership among the people and deter the spread of rumours, he noted.
Council members readily expressed their support for the Bangui Accord, with Germany’s delegate describing it as a “triumph of multilateralism”. Several members underlined the urgent need to address serious humanitarian concerns and development challenges. Peru’s representative insisted that women and youth must be included in the peace process. The delegates of France and South Africa suggested that MINUSCA support quick-impact projects so as to speed up disarmament, demobilization, repatriation and reintegration efforts.
The Russian Federation’s delegate said that, while the road to national reconciliation is rocky, the Bangui Accord lays the foundation for lasting peace. He noted, however, efforts to “blacken” the Russian Federation’s efforts, citing the flagrant double standards expressed by his counterpart from the United States. Concerning the killing of Russian journalists in the country, he said the Russian Federation’s embassy in Bangui was not informed of their arrival, but it remains steadfast in investigating the killings. As for a distorted United Nations report implicating the Russian Federation in the torture of Mahamat Nour Mamadou, he said the French embassy in Bangui was also involved.
Sylvie Valérie Baipo Temon, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Central African Republic, outlined the progress made in extending State authority throughout the national territory, in addition to undertaking reform of the security and defence sectors. The objective is to re-establish the rule of law, she said, asserting that the Central African Republic will move forward despite its painful past.
Also delivering statements were representative of the United States, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Kuwait, Poland, Germany, Indonesia, United Kingdom and Equatorial Guinea.
The meeting began at 10:04 a.m. and ended at 1:02 p.m.
For further details please see source:
MEETINGS COVERAGE
