Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Remarks to the press by P.Iliichev, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations following the Security Council consultations on the situation in Central African Republic

 

- The members of the Security Council were briefed by DPKO USG Hervé Ladsous and SRSG Parfait Onanga-Onyanga on the situation in the Central African Republic and the implementation of MINUSCA’s mandate.

- The members of the Security Council  acknowledged  the achievement of significant post-transition milestones, including the swift formation of a new government, the establishment of the National Assembly, and encouraged more efforts towards a  reconciliation process that translates into action across communities,  the disarmament, demobilization of armed groups, and the reform of the security sector, by the Central African authorities, with the support of MINUSCA.

- The members of the Security Council expressed concern at the precarious security situation in the CAR and condemned in the strongest terms the violent events that took place in Bangui on 4 October. They called on all Central Africans to refrain from engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the CAR.

- The members of the Security Council commended the authorities of the Central African Republic, namely President Faustin Archange Touadera and the members of his government, as well as MINUSCA and relevant civil society organizations, for swiftly taking initiatives that allowed for an immediate de-escalation of violence.

- The members of the Security Council recognized that the continued presence of armed groups represents the country’s most immediate impediment to stability and recovery. They encouraged the CAR authorities, with the support of MINUSCA, to address this situation through a comprehensive approach, building on the principles and outcomes of the Bangui Forum, including by engaging in a dialogue process with the representatives of the armed groups, adopting a robust posture to address threats to the political process and the civilian population, fighting against impunity including through restauration of the national justice system and the operationalization of the Special Criminal Court, and addressing longstanding grievances that are at the root of the conflict.

- The members of the Security Council encouraged contributions in view of the upcoming donor’s conference in Brussels that will support efforts to stabilize the Central African Republic and rebuild its institutions, including through DDRR and SSR programmes, fight against impunity, and socio-economic development projects, in line with the country’s peace-building priorities.

- The members of the Security Council called on all actors to provide safe and unhindered access to those in need, in particular in the most isolated locations.

 

Q: There are a lot of discussions regarding the French forces pulling out the security situations. Is there going to be additional peacekeeping contribution countries? Also is there any update on the sexual abuse allegations in terms of investigating or convicting obligations?

P.Iliichev: On French forces. Sangaris will dwindle down by the end of this year. The French are also participating in EU Training Mission (EUTM). And also they provided drones with operative staff.

On ESEA. Investigations are ongoing. We don’t have any specifics, but Parfait Onanga-Onyanga said that all countries, that were implied sent their national investigators.

Thank you.