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Full A3+ statement delivered by His Excellency Ambassador Micheal Kanu, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United Nations at the Security Council briefing on the situation in the Central African Republic

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Madam President, 

 

  1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of A3+ members, namely Algeria, Guyana, Mozambique and my own country Sierra Leone.

 

  1. We take note of the report of the Secretary-General and thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Valentine Rugwabiza, and Head of MINUSCA, for her informative briefing on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) and for her proactive and effective leadership. 

 

  1. We welcome the participation of the representative of the Central African Republic in this meeting.

 

Madam President,

 

  1. The Central African Republic (CAR) is facing multidimensional challenges, for which our support in restoring peace and security across the country is essential.

 

  1. The A3+ recognizes the crucial and commendable role of MINUSCA and the United Nations country team in carrying out their mandate, often in difficult circumstances. We also salute the troops and police contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs) to the Mission and regional organizations that have provided and continue to provide the needed support to the CAR, during this critical moment towards the restoration of constitutional order. 

 

Madam President,

 

  1. On the political front, the A3+ notes with concern the disagreements on the part of the political opposition and the leaders of some armed groups, regarding the openings of dialogue by President Faustin-Archange Touadera, and the detention of a member of parliament by the National Defense and Security Forces, as this would undermine inclusive and active political participation.

 

  1. The A3+ encourages the continuation of dialogue around the initiative of the President to appeal to Central African political actors abroad to return and participate in the country's political and development process.

 

  1. In this regard, the recent Government Reshuffle which brought about the appointment of former opposition leaders is a positive sign to be encouraged.

 

Madam President,

 

  1. Regarding the security situation in CAR, the A3+ is appalled by the current security situation that continues to be volatile with civilians being subjected to continuous cycle of violence by armed groups which we condemn in the strongest terms. We also condemn the repeated attacks by armed groups against humanitarian actors, MINUSCA and the Central African Armed Forces/Forces Armées Centrafricaines (FACA), who are committed to protecting and restoring the security of the CAR. 

 

  1. The A3+ condemns, in the strongest terms, the attack carried out on 15 January 2024 against MINUSCA in Mbindale, using an explosive device, following which one Cameroonian peacekeeper was killed and five others injured.

 

  1. The A3+ express their deepest condolences to Cameroon and to the United Nations family as a whole. We wish the injured peacekeepers a speedy and complete recovery.

 

  1. In addition, CAR's internal security challenges, such as cross-border insecurity, illicit trafficking in natural resources and weapons, the continued use of explosive devices and unmanned aircraft, undoubtedly contributes to the volatile security situation in the CAR.

 

  1. We encourage the authorities of CAR to collaborate with MINUSCA, to continue promoting the mediation and reconciliation process at the local level, with a view to decentralizing the peace process, resolving conflicts and consolidating the progress achieved. 

 

  1. In the face of these threats, we encourage MINUSCA to sustain its current level of mobilization and consolidate the hard-won security gains in cooperation with the CAR Armed Forces. However, such an endeavor needs to naturally have the support of the international community.

 

  1. On the Peace process, we welcome the progress made in the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation and the joint roadmap for peace in the Central African Republic.
  2. We also welcome progress in the process of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation of ex-combatants (DDRR), the reform of the security sector and the restoration of State authority.

 

  1. We call on all political actors in the CAR, including the opposition and civil society, to engage constructively in a spirit of tolerance and dialogue to uphold social cohesion and contribute to the success of the whole peace process. 

 

Madam President,

 

  1. The A3+ congratulates the Government on the completion of the 10-year action plan to operationalize the national border management policy, adopted in September 2023, with the support of MINUSCA and international partners.

 

  1. The A3+ welcomes the efforts of President Faustin Archange Touadera in strengthening sub-regional cooperation and improving the security of the CAR's borders.

 

  1. In this regard, we commend the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and for her visit to the Central African Republic, where she spoke with national authorities, especially on the implementation of the Joint Communiqué of the Central African Republic and the United Nations on the Prevention of Conflict and Related Sexual Violence.

 

 Madam President, 

 

  1. We encourage the authorities of the Central African Republic to collaborate with MINUSCA, to continue strengthening FACA's operational capabilities in order to effectively respond to new security challenges posed by the continuous increase in asymmetric threats. 

 

  1. To this end, we welcome MINUSCA's training and capacity building initiatives for the Defense and Security Forces in the areas of demining, logistics and human rights. MINUSCA cannot implement such a process alone.

Therefore, further international support is required. 

 

  1. Protecting CAR and its population requires an end to the continuous plunder of its natural resources by armed groups, with the establishment of mechanisms for the traceability and certification of minerals, and a reinforcement of cross-border security.

 

  1. In addition to the CAR's internal security challenges, such as cross-border insecurity, illicit trafficking in natural resources and weapons, the continued use of explosive devices and unmanned aircraft, undoubtedly worsens the volatility of the security situation in the CAR.

 

  1. We encourage the Central African authorities, with the support of MINUSCA, to continue promoting the mediation and reconciliation process at local level, with a view to decentralizing the peace process, resolving conflicts and consolidating the progress achieved.
  2. As for the electoral process, A3+ welcomes the approval of the new electoral code, by the National Assembly, as an important part of the preparatory process of the upcoming electoral rendez-vous in 2025.

 

  1. We would also like to express our appreciation for the existing cooperation between the National Defense and internal security forces and their MINUSCA counterparts and encourage the parties to continue this synergy, with a view to operationalizing the Integrated Electoral Security Plan. The criticality of the electoral process cannot be overemphasized as the outcome of the election would determine the political future of CAR and open the pathway to sustainable and   lasting peace.

 

  1. We, therefore, encourage the international development partners and group of friends of CAR to provide the necessary financial and logistical support to CAR in organizing the election in a transparent fair and credible manner. To this end, we call on all political actors, including the opposition and civil society, to engage constructively in strengthening social cohesion, tolerance and dialogue with all components of Central African society, especially women and young people. 

 

  1. In this connection, the A3+ underscores the importance of promoting women’s participation in the upcoming elections and calls for the deployment of all needed efforts in this regard. Ensuring the security of the upcoming elections is essential and therefore we call for strengthened cooperation between CAR defense and security forces and MINUSCA, with a view to operationalizing the Integrated Electoral Security Plan.

 

  1. The success of the planned elections relies on the support of the international community. Therefore, we call on all international and regional partners to scale up their support. 

 

  1. The actual holding of these elections is eagerly awaited by the people of the Central African Republic, who aspire for lasting peace, as well as free, fair and credible elections.

 

 

Madam President,

 

  1. On the humanitarian front, the A3+ notes with concern the increase in human rights violations; the persistence of conflict-related sexual violence and serious violations against children, abduction, recruitment and use of children, which constitute the majority of serious violations committed by armed groups. We urge the government to put in place accountability mechanism(s) or measures to address gross violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law

 

  1. We welcome the release of 134 children in 2023, noting that this number is significantly lower than those released in the year prior and call for the immediate release of all children being held captive. 

 

  1. In this regard, we commend all the efforts towards the Prevention of Conflict and Related Sexual Violence as well as national efforts for the promotion of Human Rights and the protection of children.

 

  1. We are also concerned about the influx of Internally Displaced Persons and refugees as a result of conflicts in CAR’s neighboring countries, the increased violence against civilians by armed groups and the effects of climate change, which are exacerbating communal tensions. 

 

  1. These developments are all having a disastrous impact on the humanitarian situation in the CAR. In this vein, we call for the free movement of humanitarian workers, and to enable them to perform their work without any risks or threat. 

 

  1. To conclude, Madam President, the A3+ reiterates its support for MINUSCA. We warmly commend SRSG, Ms. Valentine Rugwabiza and her team, for their remarkable contribution to the stabilization of the CAR.

 

  1. We reaffirm our strong solidarity with the Government and people of the Central African Republic, while reiterating our commitment to supporting the independence, unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the CAR.

 

I thank you, Madam President!

A3+