Central African Republic
Expected Council Action
In June the Council is expected to consider the next report of the Secretary-General on the Central African Republic (CAR). The mandate of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office (BONUCA) expires on 31 December.
Key Recent Developments
On 7 April the Council adopted a presidential statement welcoming the Secretary-General’s recommendation on 3 March to establish a UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) to succeed BONUCA.
BINUCA’s mandate and structure include the following:
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assisting national and local efforts to implement outcomes of the inclusive political dialogue agreed to in December, focusing on governance reforms and electoral processes;
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supporting the completion of the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programme (DDR) process and reform of security sector institutions;
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helping to restore state authority in the provinces;
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enhancing national human rights capacity, and promoting respect for human rights and the rule of law, justice and accountability;
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assisting the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) with the implementation of the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding and projects supported through the Peacebuilding Fund;
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supporting the UN Mission in CAR and Chad (MINURCAT); and
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ensuring that child protection is properly addressed in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the DDR process, including by supporting the monitoring mechanism on children and armed conflict.
Developments in the PBC
(The adoption of the framework would also provide a response to the 30 May 2008 request from the Council to the PBC for advice and recommendations on the situation in CAR.) The chair of the CAR country configuration, Ambassador Jan Grauls of Belgium, visited the country on 21 and 22 May to interact with the government and other key national players on the newly adopted peacebuilding framework. |
Key Issues
The key issue for the Council is consolidation of peace and security in the country in light of the formidable political and socioeconomic challenges confronting CAR.
A closely related issue for the Council is being satisfied that the structure and strength of BINUCA are adding value and reaching an understanding on a possible timeframe for completing the transformation of BONUCA.
Options
The main options for the Council are either:
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responding immediately to the Secretary-General’s report (and possibly issue a statement); or
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waiting, in the absence of any significant developments on the ground, until after the Secretary-General’s December report.
Council Dynamics
There is currently general consensus on CAR and the need to support peacebuilding. The contents of the Secretary-General’s report, especially aspects dealing with the structure and strength of BINUCA will likely influence the Council’s next steps, as will significant developments on the ground.
France is the lead country on this issue in the Council.
Underlying Problems
Perennial challenges to peace and security in CAR include high levels of poverty and unemployment, lack of accountability and professionalism in the state security sector, rebel activity and banditry (especially in the northern parts of the country), lawlessness and a proliferation of small arms and the absence of state authority in large parts of the country.
Latest Presidential Statement |
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Latest Secretary-General’s Report |
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Selected Letters |
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PBC Related Documents |
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Council Meeting Records |
Special Representative of the Secretary-General |
Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia) |
BONUCA: Size |
Strength as of 31 March 2009: 34 international civilian staff, five military and six police, 59 local civilian, and four UN volunteers |
BONUCA: Duration |
15 February 2000 to present; mandate expires 31 December 2009 |
MINURCAT: Special Representative of the Secretary-General |
Victor da Silva Ângelo (Portugal) |
MINURCAT: Size, Composition and Cost |
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MINURCAT: Duration |
September 2007 to present; mandate expires on 15 March 2010 |