S/PV.6907 Security Council

Under rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of the Central African Republic to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2013/45, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Argentina, Australia, France, Luxembourg, Morocco, the Republic of Korea, Togo, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2012/956, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Central African Republic and on the activities of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in that country. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2088 (2013). I now give the floor to the representative of the Central African Republic.

Since this is the second time in 12 days that I am addressing the Council, I should like to once again commend you, Mr. President, for the skill with which you are guiding the work of this important United Nations organ during this month of January. The adoption of resolution 2088 (2013) on the situation in the Central African Republic and the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) give me an opportunity to make some brief comments on that important decision. My country, which was made fragile by the sad and painful events that began on 10 December 2012 but are thankfully in the process of being resolved, took the opportunity of the Libreville discussions, held on 10 and 11 January 2013, to once again lay the groundwork for a return to peace through dialogue, thereby affirming the common faith of the women and men of the Central African Republic, despite their differences and the diversity of their cultural mosaic, wherein lies the wealth of our nation, to live in perfect symbiosis in a unified country. In Libreville, decisions were made for the good of the country and for the happiness of the people. All that is required now is genuine political will by all parties to translate them into reality. The much- longed-for Government of National Unity, which is currently being formed, will have no alternative but to move in that direction, pursuant to its terms of reference, focusing increasingly on bringing peace to the country, restructuring the defence and security forces, relaunching the social and economic sectors, and convening the upcoming legislative elections. However, we can see, even before a post-crisis assessment has been undertaken, that the scope of the damage is immense. Everyone  — the President, the Government and the women and men of our country — will have to work hard to rebuild the State, whose foundations have been so seriously undermined. They have no doubt that all elements of the international community, including the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the Economic Community of Central African States, the International Organization of la Francophonie and all friendly countries, which have always been by our side, will support our country in its quest for peace and development. Here I wish to thank in advance all bilateral and multilateral partners and non-governmental organizations that will support the country during this process, which will be so crucial to helping the Central African Republic to be reborn. That is why we welcome the justified extension of the mandate of BINUCA, a partner with which the Government of National Unity wishes to work in a concerted and harmonious manner. That cooperation will be launched in the next few days, beginning with a quick assessment of post-crisis realities so as to identify the measures necessary to move ahead with reconstruction. Our country, which has suffered greatly from recurring conflicts that have stymied its efforts towards growth and development, has made the decision to leave behind a sad chapter of its history, take control of its destiny and move ahead with great hope. Together, let us give the country the opportunity and the means to move ahead, as that is what it wishes to do. The country yearns for lasting peace for itself, for the Central African subregion and for all of Africa.

The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.