Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC Briefing on the Central African Republic
We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Valentina Rugwabiza for her briefing. We welcome the participation of the permanent representative of the Central African Republic.
We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic (CAR) in this meeting.
It is with pleasure that we note that the situation in CAR continues to steadily improve, which is owing to the support of Russia, other bilateral partners, and the UN. We welcome Bangui's efforts to further advance the political process and extend state control over the entire national territory.
There is a consistent implementation of agreements reached in April in N'Djamena with the Chadian mediation, namely the agreements between the CAR government and the largest armed groups, 3R and UPC. A significant number of militants have already undergone disarmament and demobilization process. Other groups, whose leaders realize the futility of continued armed confrontation, are also getting engaged in dialogue with the government.
The consolidation of the peace process is having a positive impact on the security situation. This is evidenced, inter alia, by the latest UN statistics, which show a further decline in the number of crimes against civilians. An important indicator here is the increase in the number of Central Africans returning to CAR thanks to the improvement in the situation in their country.
We note the additional measures taken by Bangui to strengthen border control and address cross-border challenges and threats. Substantive cooperation on this matter with Chad and other states in the subregion is developing quite rapidly.
At the same time, the military and political crisis in neighboring Sudan continues to have a negative impact on the situation in CAR. It is precisely the area of the “porous” border with that country that is marked by increased activity by militants, primarily from the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF). We strongly condemn the illegal movement of RSF fighters into the CAR sovereign territory and the crimes they commit.
As a result of one of their crimes, a peacekeeper from the UN Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was killed. We express our condolences to the family and government of the deceased, as well as to the leadership of the Mission. Russia unreservedly condemns attacks on the blue helmets.
MINUSCA is making a significant contribution to stabilizing the situation in CAR. It remains one of the key elements in the consolidated efforts to combat armed groups and protect civilians.
We support the leadership of MINUSCA and note that the Mission maintains mutual understanding and constructive dialogue with the authorities of the host country. We thank the military personnel of the troop-contributing countries for their commitment and dedication to fulfilling their duties.
We align ourselves with the opinion voiced by the Secretary-General that full-fledged assistance for the Mission by the CAR authorities is particularly important in the upcoming electoral period. This and other key mandated tasks of MINUSCA should not fall hostage to the positions of certain UN Security Council members and the Secretariat's response measures to streamline financial support for peacekeeping operations.
It is clear that the international community must continue supporting Bangui in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, focusing on the priorities of the Central Africans themselves.
We wish our friends in Bangui every success in organizing the important events of the upcoming election cycle. The successful conduct of elections at various levels, including municipal elections for the first time in several decades, will clearly demonstrate that CAR is returning to peaceful life and converting its achievements in stabilizing the country into progress in other areas.
For our part, we intend to continue providing comprehensive assistance to Bangui's efforts, particularly on the key issue of strengthening the security sector.
Thank you.
