Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at UNSC briefing on the situation in the Central African Republic

Mme.President,

We thank SRSG Rugwabiza for the briefing. We also thank Permanent Representative of Morocco, Ambassador O.Hilale, for a statement in his capacity as Chair of the PBC country configuration on the Central African Republic. We welcome Minister of Foreign Affairs of the CAR Sylvie Baïpo-Temon to this meeting. 

We closely follow security developments in the CAR. In general, governmental forces are in control of the situation, and capacities of many illegal armed formations have been reduced significantly.

At the same time, in recent months we have seen an increase in activities of remaining militias in CAR’s border areas. The fact that illegal armed formations, including the most irreconcilable “Union for Peace in the CAR” and 3R have bolstered their activities is concern-raising. Another worrisome trend is emergence of new armed formations, such as “Coalition Siriri” that operates at the border with Sudan in coordination with “Union for Peace in the CAR” and 3R.

In this regard, we call for more decisive steps on the part of the Security Council towards a complete lifting of an arms embargo against CAR. We believe this measure is necessary for strengthening defense capacity of the Central African Republic and combating the illegal armed formations who impede preparations for another electoral cycle. The African Union, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and also African states on the Security Council speak out in favor of lifting the sanctions. Central Africans also remain very vocal about it. It is obvious that lasting stabilization and progressive development of the political process are not possible unless the CAR receives effective support in capacity-building of its national military and law enforcement.  

Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR that was signed in Bangui on 6 February 2019, remains the basis for achieving stability and security in the Republic. We welcome Bangui’s practical steps aimed at continuation of the political process in the interests of normalization. We believe that all sides should fully observe the ceasefire that the head of nation announced unilaterally on 15 October 2021.

We need to ensure that this process is also joined by illegal armed groups who did not sign the Luanda roadmap, according to which the sides obliged to stop hostilities and begin disarmament and demobilization of former combatants. Rebel leaders must abandon violent methods and embark on a full-fledged dialogue with Bangui, because there is no alternative to political and diplomatic settlement in the CAR.

We proceed from the assumption that decisions made in the framework of the mechanism for implementation of the Khartoum agreement and Luanda roadmap will promote peace efforts.

Russia continues to assist the Central African Republic in strengthening its defense potential. With the knowledge of UNSC Sanctions Committee 2127, the CAR received a number of batches of military-purpose goods. Russian instructors work successfully in the CAR after being sent there upon request of legitimate authorities. The campaign to discredit them, as well as general attempts to lay the blame for human rights violations on the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic and bilateral partners have been custom-ordered and are not backed by verified facts.

We welcome efforts that the CAR authorities take to ensure state presence, strengthen administrative mechanisms, continue with security sector reform, develop judiciary system and prepare for the first since 1988 local elections. In this context, we once again draw attention to the politicized decisions by some external donors to “freeze” direct budgetary support for the CAR. This situation brings immediate risks of further deterioration in the country, in particular at the humanitarian track, and jeopardizes the achievements of recent years in the area of national reconciliation.

We believe it is essential to set forth effective support for the authorities on the part of MINUSCA and SRSG Rugwabiza as head of the mission. We thank officers from troop-contributing states who are risking their lives daily when performing their duty. We welcome the signing of the adoption of the Integrated Plan for Securing the Elections under MINUSCA’s assistance.

In general terms, to reiterate that first of all, MINUSCA should channel its resources to assist the authorities in establishing state control, countering armed groups and protecting civilians.

Mme.President,

We are very concerned that terrorist attacks in the CAR hit Russian nationals. We strongly condemn the attack on Mr.D.Syty, Director General of the Russian House (company that operates in the Central African Republic), which took place on 16 December 2022 in Bangui. We expect the perpetrators to be identified and held duly accountable. Additional coordinated steps by authorities of the neighboring states are required in order to curb illegal cross-border movement of militants.

In conclusion, we stress that only comprehensive normalization of the situation with security in the CAR will make it possible for Bangui to focus on the constructive domestic agenda in the interests of the state and its people. Security Council ought to do its best to promote this process, i.a. call back the remaining sanctions restrictions from the legitimate government.  

Thank you.

 

Video of the statement