S/PV.8776 Security Council

In accordance with 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/2020/1106, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by France. 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 2552 (2020). I now give the floor to those members of the Council wishing to make statements following the voting.

The Russian delegation voted in favour of resolution 2552 (2020), which extends by one year the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Russia has always supported the work of the Blue Helmets, who play a very important role in the overall security architecture of the country. We hope that MINUSCA will provide technical and logistical support to Bangui in conducting the general elections. We note the constructive approach of the penholders, which made it possible to reach consensus while maintaining in the text of the resolution a number of principal elements, including the reference to guiding principles on the provision of humanitarian assistance, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 46/182. We would like to stress in particular that the principle of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, as mentioned in the document, is an imperative in providing international humanitarian assistance, as is the fact that the country requiring assistance must play a primary role in initiating, organizing and coordinating assistance on its territory. We categorically reject any attempt to challenge or dilute the strength of these parameters of humanitarian assistance under any pretext, which we would consider to be an attempt to directly interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign State. We once again confirm Russia’s commitment to the existing rules of humanitarian assistance and call on colleagues to follow our example.

Indonesia welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2552 (2020). We thank the penholders for their efforts to find a compromise among the divergent positions. We have heard the call from the Central African Republic for the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in order to protect civilians, including during the 2020-2021 election, and of the Mission’s good offices and support to the peace process, including the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic. That is why Indonesia voted in favour of the resolution. I am taking the floor to highlight the following points. First, MINUSCA is first and foremost a peacekeeping mission. We salute our peacekeepers for risking their lives and leaving their families behind in pursuit of peace in the Central African Republic. Their safety and security will always be a top priority for Indonesia. Our position has always been crystal clear. To that end, we welcome the new language on peacekeeper safety and security in the resolution. Secondly, we support the call to increase women’s participation in MINUSCA at all levels and positions, including senior leadership positions, in line with resolution 2538 (2020). Thirdly, United Nations peacekeeping operations must be fully prepared, especially in the light of the changing, complex and increasingly dangerous environment. That is why it is critical to ensure that the Mission be given clear mandates, the necessary equipment and sufficient resources. As an elected member of the Security Council, Indonesia has over the past two years followed closely the progress in the Central African Republic, including the peace agreement reached in February 2019. We continue to support MINUSCA within and outside of the Council, as the largest personnel contributor among Council members. Allow me to reiterate Indonesia’s commitment as a true partner for peace for the Central African Republic, even beyond our term on the Council.