Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at an open VTC of UNSC members on the Central African Republic
Mme. President.
We thank our briefers today for their information.
We have to note that the situation in the CAR remains tense. Armed action is still in the active phase.
The governmental forces with the support of MINUSCA, still have to be holding back attempts by rebels to seize new territory and move towards Bangui or to cut off provision for the capital and the major cities.
We are concerned by incoming reports of regrouping of fighters, and of financial support and equipment that they receive from the outside. To fight arms smuggle, CAR neighbors need to energetically boost border control.
International support for the legal authorities in Bangui should continue and should have a comprehensive and coordinated character. In this context, we welcome that ECCAS and the International Conference on the GLR have joined stabilization efforts of the United Nations and the foreign partners. Having said this, any mediation initiatives by regional players should be carried out upon consent and with the participation of the government of the Central African Republic.
We know about the initiative of the Head of IC/ GLR and President of Angola, and ECCAS Chair and President of the Republic of Congo to organize an open dialogue with the Security Council on the prospects for supporting Bangui in overcoming the crisis. We think such contacts are useful.
Provisions of the political agreement that was signed on 6 February 2019 are the basis for achieving a lasting peace and security in the country. Unilateral attempts to blur or replace these agreements are unacceptable. We think it is important to send a message to those armed groups who have deviated from the political agreement about the need to return to fulfilling the obligations that they entered into.
There are a number of tasks facing Central Africans in the near future, and these include creating the conditions for successful completion of parliamentary elections and the formation of a new legislature. Bangui should be provided with additional assistance in guaranteeing security and those constituencies where “Patriots for Change” broke off the election in December 2020.
Mme. President,
We support the call from official Bungay to further loosen the arms embargo, which would allow the legally elected authorities in CAR to counter armed groups more effectively. Recent events have clearly demonstrated that the sanctions regime in this country needs to be adapted in a timely fashion, i.a. proceeding from the primary objective of allowing the central authorities to spread its power across the territory of the country.
With regard to the Secretary-General's proposal of sending additional peacekeepers to the country, we will first and foremost proceed from the position of the host country. We know that Bangui is ready to work closely with the UN Secretariat to further agree on modalities for capacity building within MINUSCA.
Stabilization in the country requires comprehensive support of legitimate authorities in the CAR., including on questions of increasing the training and effectiveness of the National Security Forces. When the conflict started to escalate in the middle of December 2020, Central African security forces sustained a heavy blow. Nonetheless, with the support of bilateral partners and the Blue Helmets, they were able to guarantee that elections were held, and also prevent the capital and other cities from being seized. For the long-term solution of the situation, it's important to further build capacity of the country's armed forces.
For our part, we are ready to work with international partners of Bangui and MINUSCA and continue to provide all possible support to the population and the government of the country.
Thank you.
