Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at the open VTC of UNSC members on the situation in the Central African Republic
Mr. President,
We thank Special Representative Mankeur Ndiaye for his briefing. Russia continuously supports the activity of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). We appreciate the efforts of countries contributing military and police contingents to the Mission. We convey our deepest condolences to the families of peacekeepers from Burundi, Rwanda, Gabon, and Morocco who were killed in the recent weeks. Now it is our shared task to make sure that their ultimate sacrifice was not in vain.
I welcome participation of Foreign Minister of the CAR Sylvie Baïpo-Temon in this VTC. Through you, we would like to congratulate President Touadera and the people of Central Africa who successfully coped with challenges that accompanied the December elections. This once again proved that Central Africans seek peace and stability for their country.
Mr. President,
We are aware of the proposal of official Bangui to adopt a UNSC resolution on the current situation in the CAR. According to the authorities, in its key provisions, the resolution could stipulate the following:
- Reiterate sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the CAR, as well as importance of non-interference, good neighborly relations, and regional cooperation.
- Remind of major responsibility of the CAR authorities for protecting the population.
- Confirm the importance of restoring state power throughout the entire territory of the country.
- Express concern over deteriorating military and political situation and threat of forced change of state structure.
- Condemn the attempt at coup d'etat taken by former President F.Bozize and breach of the Political Agreement by the illegal armed formations.
- Condemn violence and attacks on peacekeepers and other foreign presences.
- State the need for stepping-up security measures for MINUSCA peacekeepers and enhancing the Mission’s capacity, i.a. of its aviation component.
- Welcome the activity of MINUSCA and Observer Mission of the African Union and efforts of Bangui's international partners aimed at strengthening the potential of national defense and security forces.
- Call upon all political forces to respect the democratic process and the final results of the elections that were announced by the Constitutional Court, and use only legal and democratic methods of political struggle.
- Lift the embargo on heavy weapon deliveries to the CAR in order to let the authorities enhance their capacity to protect the population and counter illegal armed formations.
We suggest that our colleagues in the Council pay due attention to the proposals of the CAR and take them onboard, especially in view of the fact that many of them conform with UNSC resolution 2552 of 12 November 2020.
Mr. President,
We condemn the destructive role that former President F.Bozize, (whose name is on UNSC sanctions lists) plays in the current developments, alongside with leaders of illegal armed formations who decided to divert from their obligations under the Political Agreement and got involved in armed confrontation. It seems to be the time for us to consider extending sanctions to heads of armed groups who put a stake on violence. At the same time, promotion of political process remains a priority for all of us: this process has received unprecedented efforts of the international community, including Russia, regional and international players and UN peacekeepers.
Escalation that took place in late December 2020 – early January 2021 clearly showed that sanctions regime regarding the CAR must be timely adapted to every stage that the country goes through. This must proceed i.a. from the primary task of spreading centralized authority at the entire territory of the country and combating the illegal armed formations. Recent developments showed that those armed groups receive new fighters and heavy weapons from third parties, which makes them better equipped and armed than the regular armed forces of the CAR.
Mr. President,
Russia will continue providing all possible support to the population and authorities of the CAR in coordination with other partners and with MINUSCA. Taking into account the dynamic of the situation and precedents of escalation in advance of the elections, and responding to considerations of official Bangui, a decision was made that trainers who arrived in the CAR at the end of December 2020, will remain in the country for the time being. It will ensure better training and higher efficiency of Central African army and law enforcement. The terms of their stay will be defined proceeding form the situation on the ground and from the opinion of the CAR government.
Thank you.
