UNSC Briefing and Consultations on United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic [MINUSCA]

[Wednesday, 19 October 2022; 1000 hrs; 1930 hrs. IST]

India Statement

Thank you, Mr.President 

I thank SRSG Valentine Rugwabiza for her update on MINUSCA and the recent developments in the Central African Republic (CAR). I also thank [Civil Society Organization briefer] for her briefing, and I welcome the Permanent Representative of CAR to today’s meeting.

2.    Allow me to begin by expressing condolences to the families of the three peacekeepers from Bangladesh who lost their lives earlier this month after their patrol hit an explosive ordnance device in western CAR. We also hope for the swift recovery of the injured peacekeeper and other injured civilians. We are deeply concerned at the presence and use of explosive ordnance, and we look forward to an update after the investigations into the incident. 

3.    The overall political developments in the Central African Republic are indicative of a move towards stability. The national authorities have adopted a timeline of priority activities to accelerate the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation through the ICGLR (International Conference on the Great Lakes Region) Joint Roadmap. The CAR government has demonstrated political will by continuing to engage with the representatives of the armed groups. The larger region, through regular monitoring of the Joint Roadmap, continues to play an important role by providing the necessary support. This must continue. 

4.    We welcome the establishment of a committee to follow up on the recommendations of the Republican Dialogue, and to offer strategic guidance to the Presidency. We reiterate the significance of this process and underline the need for making it as inclusive as possible. We also commend the increase in deployment of public officials throughout the prefectures and the efforts towards the gradual extension of State authority. We welcome the endorsement by President Touadera of a new national security policy and a national strategy for security sector reform, emphasizing governance, accountability, and coordination of actors in the security sector.

5.    We commend the steady progress made towards the local elections, with the conclusion of the electoral mapping by the National Elections Authority of CAR. In line with the commitment expressed by the CAR government to hold local elections in 2023, it is important that the necessary legislation would be passed in due course to enable other formalities to follow. We underline the importance for the international community to support these efforts, and to provide necessary support to CAR, so that these elections are held as planned. 

Mr. President,

6.    Despite the progress being made, the security situation continues to remain volatile. Armed groups continue their relentless attacks against civilians, national forces, and MINUSCA. They continue to dominate mining sites and impose illegal taxation on the civilian population. Security violations of the Peace Agreement by armed groups have again increased in the last four months, and we unequivocally condemn these violations and attacks. The international community must be vigilant and ensure support to CAR so that the gains made politically are not undermined by unlawful activities of armed groups. The DDRR (Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Repatriation) programme must see further success, for which sustained financial and developmental support by partners will be necessary.  

7.    We are concerned by the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in CAR, which has been aggravated by violence, rising commodity prices, fuel shortages, and severe flooding recently. The displaced communities including those taking refuge in neighbouring countries continue to suffer. We urge for the scaling up of humanitarian response efforts to expeditiously meet the needs of the vulnerable and displaced. 

8.    The implementation of ‘status-of-forces agreement’ has improved in the recent months. This is a clear indication of enhanced cooperation between MINUSCA and CAR authorities. Unfortunately, the peacekeepers have remained a victim of targeted attacks during the reporting period. We strongly condemn attacks on peacekeepers and call on the Mission leadership and government of CARto take required measures to ensure safety and security of peacekeepers.We also call for swift action on part of all stakeholders for expeditious implementation of the provisions of the UNSCR 2589 (2021) to bring the culprits to justice and establish accountability of crimes against UN peacekeepers.In this regard, we have taken note of the twenty-eight ongoing investigations by national judicial authorities into attacks against peacekeepers.   

9.     In conclusion, Mr. President, the Central African Republic will continue to need our collective attention as it navigates a tenuous journey in its pursuit of peace. The worsening economic and fiscal situation, compounded by the global rise in prices and shortage of essential goods, is bound to make this task more challenging in the days to come. On our part, India will continue to support CAR and its people in their quest for peace, stability and economic development.

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