S/PV.7427 Security Council

In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2015/227, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Central African Republic, as well as to document S/2015/248, containing a letter dated 10 April 2015 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. I now give the floor to Lieutenant General Gaye.

I express my deep respect and thanks to the Council for this opportunity to take stock of the situation in the Central African Republic. Significant progress has been made in the protection of populations that continue to suffer violence. The violence is the result, particularly in recent weeks, of intercommunal tensions related to the seasonal migration of Fulani herders and their livestock. The violence also continues to prevail in Bangui and in the west of the country due to the anti-balakas, which, like the ex-Sélékas in the central and eastern parts of the country, are seeking to overthrow the State. The still fragile return of State authority has failed to prevent or ease community tensions. The enclaves of at-risk populations, especially Muslim communities, therefore remain threatened despite the efforts of humanitarian actors and the international forces. The humanitarian situation remains grave throughout the country. The numbers of the displaced have continued to rise; some 50,000 have been displaced since January. At the same time, humanitarian access has suffered from the fragmentation of armed groups. (spoke in English) Turning to the political situation, the historic local consultations were completed in March and covered all 16 prefectures. These local consultations offered the citizens of the Central African Republic an opportunity to express their views on issues at the heart of the crisis, including justice and reconciliation, peace and security, governance and socioeconomic development priorities. The Government’s report on the local consultations will serve as a basis for discussion and debate at the Bangui Forum. On 7 April, the Bangui Forum Preparatory Commission presented its final report to the Head of the State of the Transition, Ms. Catherine Samba- Panza, the international community and the public. The document includes reports from the Commission’s four thematic working groups on peace and security, justice and reconciliation, governance, and social and economic development. Between 1 and 7 April, the Government issued four decrees relating to the dates of the Forum, the establishment of the presidency, and its organization and technical committees. On the same day, the President of the National Transitional Council issued a declaration demanding the elimination of the decree, notably due to the lack of consultation with the National Transitional Council. The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) immediately provided good offices, through consultations with national stakeholders and international partners, with a view to diffusing the tension among the transitional authorities and promoting an approach based on consensus. This effort resulted in the issuance yesterday of a new decree on the composition of the Forum’s presidency, which I believe provides for a more inclusive approach. In the same vein, during his long interaction with the Transitional Council yesterday, the Prime Minister also contributed to the overall reduction in tensions. MINUSCA is also prepared to facilitate discussions between the Transitional Authority and armed groups prior to the Forum. These talks are intended to foster a broad agreement on principles for security sector reform and a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) strategy that will be further refined during the Forum, and will serve as an opportunity for armed groups to recommit to the provisions of the 23 July 2014 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed in Brazzaville. The completion of the inclusive Bangui Forum national dialogue will be another milestone in the transition. Commitment on the part of all national stakeholders, including political and military leaders of armed groups, will be critical to keeping the transition on track and opening the way toward next steps in the transition process, including the organization of elections and the launch of longer-term national reconciliation efforts. Pending agreement on a national and inclusive DDR strategy, MINUSCA has begun activities to support the regroupment process through labour-intensive public works projects that have been launched in high-risk areas and target young people at risk, including ex-combatants. The transition has reached a critical stage. The organization of credible elections will mark the end of the transition. In that regard, the electoral process is facing challenges, including, notably, the registration of internally displaced persons and refugees outside the country. Security and financial challenges continue to impede the work of the National Electoral Authority. As of 2 April, the Authority had established 97 of its 142 field offices. While MINUSCA has provided advice on operational plans for security and electoral operations, it is of serious concern that the basket fund of $44 million managed by the United Nations Development Programme still has a 49-per cent funding gap. Indeed, the timely completion of the electoral process is linked to the timely receipt of funds for the electoral process, and we call on Member States’ prompt response to this appeal. During the most recent meeting in Brazzaville of the International Contact Group on the Central African Republic on 16 March, participants urged the Transitional Authorities to accelerate electoral preparátions and to review the legal framework in order to identify options to simplify the process. The International Contact Group also urged the Transitional Authorities to respect the ineligibility clause in the Constitutional Charter that prohibits high-level transitional Government officials from standing for office. The final communiqué reiterated the timeline for the transition, with an end date of 15 August. (spoke in French) The Central African Republic is entering a crucial phase of its return to security and stability. The recent visit of the Security Council to the country, along with its decision to grant MINUSCA a reinforcement of 750 soldiers, 288 police officers and 20 officers of the prison administration, reflect its attentive support for the Mission. The interest and continued support of international and regional partners remain more essential than ever. This interest and support help to ensure not only the normal course of the transition, but also the continuation of humanitarian operations in the country with adequate resources. I take this opportunity to call on all international partners to maintain their commitment to supporting the humanitarian operations that the country so badly needs. To date, consolidated United Nations support for humanitarian assistance for the Central African Republic covers only 13 per cent of the necessary funds. Restoring security, promoting inclusive political dialogue and completing the transition is only the beginning of the long journey of the Central African Republic to stability and sustainable development. Central Africans continue to rely on MINUSCA for the effective implementation of the mandate, with the commitment and ongoing support of the Council. The international community has a moral obligation to help the Central African Republic and its people to remain on the path of peace and reconciliation. That is our collective responsibility.

I thank Lieutenant General Gaye for his briefing. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.