Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at a UNSC Briefing on the Situation in the Central African Republic

Madam President,

We thank USG Jean-Pierre Lacroix for his briefing. We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic in the meeting.

First of all, we would like to express our condolences to the Central African government in connection with the fire at the Barthelemy Boganda High School in Bangui on June 25, which claimed the lives of at least 29 people. We are aware that several hundred students were injured, some of them are in serious condition. Our hearts are with their families and loved ones, and with all the people of the Central African Republic (CAR).

Madam President,

We are pleased to note that the situation in the Central African Republic continues to improve steadily. The government controls almost the entire national territory, the combat effectiveness of the national armed forces is growing, and militants have been pushed back to the borders with neighboring states.

We welcome Bangui's efforts to further advance the political process. This past April, the CAR government once again, through concrete actions, demonstrated its commitment to political settlement. We urge the groups capable of negotiation to seize the emerging opportunities and engage constructively in dialogue with the authorities. These groups can join the ranks of thousands of fighters who have laid down their arms and have been disarmed or are being disarmed, demobilized, and reintegrated. Rejecting armed struggle is the only way forward; the alternative to this is a one-way ticket to nowhere.

The Central African authorities keep stabilizing the situation in the whole of the country and neutralizing the potential of irreconcilable armed groups. Thus, additional measures have been taken to strengthen border control, and combat the movement of illegal armed groups, as well as smuggling of weapons and natural resources. We note the enhanced official cooperation between CAR and Chad, particularly on border issues. Effective joint efforts by the two countries are crucial for successfully addressing cross-border challenges and threats.

The military and political crisis in neighboring Sudan is negatively impacting the situation in CAR. It is precisely in the area along the porous border with Sudan where the Rapid Response Forces militants are particularly active. Establishing state control over the borders on both sides would be the most reliable way to resolve these problems. In addition, because of what is unfolding in Sudan, tens of thousands of refugees were compelled to seek shelter in CAR, which exacerbated the already difficult humanitarian situation there.

It is clear that the international community must continue supporting Bangui, in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, with the focus on the priorities of the Central African people themselves.

This is particularly important in the run-up to elections. The successful conduct of elections at various levels, including municipal elections, which would be held for the first time in decades, will once again demonstrate that CAR is back on track to peaceful life.

We expect the UN Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) to facilitate Bangui's efforts to organize elections. We support the work of the Mission and its leadership. We are grateful to the military personnel of the troop-contributing countries for their commitment to fulfilling their mandate. We call on MINUSCA to maintain constructive, respectful dialogue and mutual understanding with the host country.

We have no doubt that our Central African friends will be able to convert their achievements in the field of security into real progress on the path of socio-economic development. The normalization of the situation in CAR will be irreversible if there is a continued external support, including from the UN and international financial institutions.

At the same time, such support should be based on the principles of non-interference in domestic affairs and respect for national sovereignty. There is no place here for outdated and discredited colonial practices nor for their modern manifestations.

Russia intends to continue contributing to peace and security throughout CAR. Our cooperation with Bangui is based on mutual respect and equality and is valued by the leadership of our countries.

Thank you.

Video of the statement