Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at a UNSC Briefing on the Situation in the Central African Republic
Mr. President,
We thank Special Representative of the Secretary General Valentine Rugwabiza for her briefing. We listened with interest to the statement made by Ms. Portia Abazene. We welcome the participation in this meeting of the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic (CAR).
First of all, we would like to convey our condolences to the family and the loved ones of the Tunisian peacekeeper who died on February 11. Our condolences also go to the Tunisian Government and the UN peacekeeping mission.
Despite such one-off tragic incidents, the security situation in CAR continues changing significantly for the better. In recent years, Bangui, with the support of the UN and bilateral partners (first and foremost Russia), has managed to make considerable progress in the fight against illegal armed formations and ensured state control over 90% of the country's territory.
Threats have certainly not been definitevely eliminated, and work in this area continues. However, armed groups and bandits have been largerly pushed to the borders with neighboring countries.
It is now important to support the efforts of the Central Africans to ensure border security and to help them prevent cross-border movements of fighters and stop their weapons supplies. We do hope that the UN mission will provide here as much assistance as possible.
We note the efforts made by the Government of CAR on this track, and on developing border co-operation with the neighbors. In this regard, positive advancements in the official dialogue between CAR and Chad appear to be a serious step forward. The month of January saw an opening of a joint crossing point on the border between these States, which was done through the assistance of MINUSCA; and prior to that a number of important bilateral agreements had been signed.
At the same time, we are concerned by the situation along the border with Sudan. The border area is controlled by the Rapid Support Forces, which negatively affects the security situation and is putting additional burden when it comes to humanitarian action. There is a growing number of instances of insurgent from Sudan infiltrating CAR with illegal trade of weapons and precious metals being on the rise as well. There are reports of Central African fighters being recruited to fight on the side of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces.
We support Bangui's intent to curb challenges there. We are convinced that a consistent growth in the combat readiness of the CAR Armed Forces along with international support will help ensure the effectiveness of the necessary response measures. What is of support in the successful implementation of these measures and, generally, in improving the security situation in the country is the adoption in July 2024 of Security Council resolution 2745, which completely lifted the arms embargo against the CAR government.
A significant contribution to the overall efforts to stabilize the situation in the country is being made by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic. We do support its leadership and we would like to thank the servicemen of the troop-contributing countries for their commitment to their duty. We note that the Mission maintains mutual understanding and constructive dialogue with the authorities of the host country.
We hope that in the coming period, MINUSCA – in line with its mandate – will provide the necessary assistance to Bangui in organizing elections within the framework of the upcoming electoral cycles of this year and that of 2026.
We are convinced that successful municipal elections in July – the first elections in several decades – will become one of the major milestones on the path back towards peaceful life and towards translating security gains into development progress. We align ourselves with the Secretary General's appeal regarding the need for additional donor resources to replenish the trust fund to finance the polls.
We trust that the normalization of the situation in CAR will enable the people of that country to concentrate on a constructive domestic agenda. Ample opportunities for that will be opened by the lifting of export restrictions under the Kimberley Process, which will result in legal exports of diamonds finally reaching an internationally competitive level.
The CAR authorities have in fact proven through their actions that they are committed to continuing their efforts to improve the wellbeing of civilians. At this stage, it is important to support Bangui in the work to consolidate the recent accomplishment and further stabilize the national territory. We should keep in mind that this inter alia will help to improve the situation in the entire Central African region.
However, with all the progress in CAR and the consistent development of friendly relations between Moscow and Bangui (which is seen not only between our governments but also between ordinary people), it is surprising that our American and British colleagues continue spurring a “dead horse” by waging their campaign to smear Russian assistance. It is high time for them to understand that this campaign has run out of steam and will not make any difference since it has been refuted by reality. Some members of the Security Council, by the way, have already realized that and changed their narratives.
Russia intends to further extend comprehensive assistance to our friendly country of CAR on a mutually respectful and equal basis in the interests of having definitive peace and security.
Thank you.
