Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC briefing on the situation in the Central African Republic
Mme.President,
We thank SRSG Rugwabiza for the briefing. We welcome the representative of the Central African Republic to this meeting.
We are pleased to note that the situation in the Central African Republic is changing for the better. With the support of the international community represented by the United Nations and bilateral partners, including Russia, the Central African authorities have succeeded in overcoming the most difficult phase of the struggle against armed groups.
However, the most irreconcilable, numerous and combat-ready militias do not give up struggling for power. Attacks on foreign nationals are of particular concern. We extend condolences to our Chinese colleagues in connection with the deaths and captivity of their fellow nationals resulting from attacks by militants on natural resource extraction facilities. We are also concerned that new types of lethal weapons appear in the arsenal of the opponents of the legitimate Central African authorities. In particular, there have been cases of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. On December 10, 2023, Russian specialists were killed and wounded in a UAV strike in the village of Kaga-Bandoro. We are also concerned about the use of improvised explosive devices and mines by armed groups.
It is important to emphasize that security threats mainly come from areas at the border with neighbors, particularly Chad, Sudan, and Cameroon. That is why it is crucial to support the Central Africans in their efforts to ensure border security. We call for increased international assistance to Bangui in order to curb the cross-border movements of paramilitary formations and their recharge with weapons. We welcome the efforts of the CAR authorities to strengthen coordination and specialized cooperation with regional states.
The situation on the external perimeter of CAR also affects the humanitarian situation in the country. We observe the aggravation of humanitarian needs due to the internal conflict in Sudan and growing instability in a number of regions of Chad. Taking care of refugees from neighboring countries increases the burden on the CAR state budget. In this regard, it is critical to stop politicizing and instrumentalizing external assistance. But apart from that, it is necessary to fully fund the UN humanitarian appeal for the CAR for 2024.
We welcome the commitment of the CAR leadership to further implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation and the Luanda Roadmap. We note the practical steps that have been taken in that regard. Thanks to consistent efforts, nine of the fourteen signatory groups to the Political Agreement have been disbanded. Thousands of former fighters have laid down their arms and undergo disarmament, demobilization and reintegration procedures. We call on those who continue to fight against the Government to abandon violent methods and engage in meaningful dialogue with Bangui.
We wish the Central African authorities success in holding the municipal elections planned for this year. That is an important milestone on the way back to peaceful life. We agree with the Secretary-General's appeal to assist Bangui in every way possible in attracting donor resources to fully fill the trust fund in support of electoral processes.
We support the work of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic and its leadership. MINUSCA remains an important security factor and an element of the overall efforts to counter armed groups and protect civilians. We thank the troops and contributors for their dedicated service. We express our condolences to the Government of Cameroon and to the family of the Cameroonian peacekeeper who died on 15 January. We wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.
Effective implementation of the peacekeepers’ mandate is possible only if the Mission has reached mutual understanding with host authorities. We call for the settlement of possible contradictions through constructive bilateral dialogue. It is essential to consult with Bangui in the forthcoming work on MINUSCA’s strategic review and, above all, to proceed from the priorities of the host state.
In conclusion, the situation in CAR improves consistently. There are still many challenges and problems, but progress is evident. Most importantly, both the leadership and the people of the country are focused on moving forward to peace and prosperity.
Much has been achieved for the Central African Republic thanks to the support of my country, who offered a helping hand at a difficult moment. In doing so, we acted in full compliance with the norms of international law and upon notifying UNSC Committee 2127. Against this background, the position of some members of the Council, above all the United States, which we regularly hear at meetings on the CAR, is but regrettable.
American representatives paint it all black. Failing to recognize Bangui's successes, they only criticize. This is the usual practice of Washington in whatever countries the United States has been unable to achieve its goals. Yet when it comes to other country situations, where serious and large-scale violations are actually taking place, we hear no such assessments (say, yesterday we saw Washington shamelessly covering for its allies). Central African Republic is a sovereign country and is free to choose its partners.
We will continue to extend our full support to our Central African friends in establishing peace and security in the country. We wish for this positive trend to not be derailed.
Thank you.
