Central African Republic: Briefing and Consultations
Tomorrow morning (23 October), the Security Council will hold an open briefing and closed consultations on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR). Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the CAR and Head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) Valentine Rugwabiza is expected to brief on the Secretary-General’s most recent report on MINUSCA, which was issued on 11 October and covers developments since 18 June. The chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) CAR Configuration, Ambassador Omar Hilale (Morocco), will also brief. The CAR is expected to participate in the meeting under rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure.
Rugwabiza is likely to highlight some political developments, particularly regarding the implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR. In this context, she may note the progress in decentralising the peace process through the involvement of local level mechanisms that are holding regular meetings to implement the political agreement. Rugwabiza may also refer to the tenth session of the strategic committee on disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and repatriation (DDRR), security sector reform (SSR), and national reconciliation, which CAR President Faustin Touadéra chaired on 19 September.
The challenges of preparing for local elections, which were expected to take place this month, are another expected focus of Rugwabiza’s briefing. In August, the CAR authorities postponed these elections to April 2025 due to a budget shortfall. Despite recent financial commitments made by some partners as at 1 October, only $4.8 million out of the $14.8 million needed to organise these elections had been mobilised, according to the Secretary-General’s report. At tomorrow’s meeting, Council members are likely to call on the CAR authorities to broaden civic space and ensure the holding of fair and inclusive local elections. Hilale, who recently visited the CAR and engaged with the authorities, including Touadéra, may also speak about efforts by the PBC CAR Configuration to mobilise resources for the organisation of these elections.
Council members are also expected to focus on the volatile security situation in the CAR. The situations in the northwest and eastern parts of the country appear to be particularly concerning because of competition among armed groups over control of natural resources and main road axes. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of continued instability in the country, including the use of explosive ordnance and the involvement of various armed groups in kidnapping for ransom. The influx of refugees and returnees to the CAR from Sudan has also exacerbated the humanitarian situation. Since April 2023, over 29,000 Sudanese nationals have crossed into the CAR to seek refuge, according to the Secretary-General’s report.
The Secretary-General’s report describes the division of the main rebel alliance in the country, known as the Coalition des patriotes pour le changement (CPC). One faction led by Ali Darassa, the Chief of Staff and Military Coordinator of the coalition, expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the government. However, former CAR President François Bozizé, who serves as the CPC’s General Coordinator, has challenged Darassa’s decisions and insisted on certain conditions for holding dialogue with the government.
At tomorrow’s meeting, Rugwabiza may apprise the Council of MINUSCA’s efforts to support the extension of state authority in the CAR, including enhancing joint patrols with the CAR armed forces (FACA) in order to reinforce the state’s presence in conflict-affected areas to protect civilians and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. She may also highlight the mission’s continued support for the CAR’s DDRR programme, in line with the mission’s mandate.
The restrictions imposed by the CAR authorities since December 2023 on the use of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been a matter of concern for some Council members. In past Council meetings, these members urged the CAR authorities to lift these restrictions and to take all appropriate measures to ensure the safety, security, and freedom of movement of MINUSCA’s personnel throughout the country. Nevertheless, MINUSCA terminated its contract for UAVs on 15 July, according to the Secretary-General’s report. Tomorrow, some Council members may express their disappointment with this decision.
The human rights situation in the CAR might also be raised by some members at tomorrow’s meeting. The period covered by the Secretary-General’s report saw a 73 percent increase in human rights violations and abuses—including grave violations against children and conflict-related sexual violence—while the number of victims increased by 83 percent. Issues relating to human rights in the CAR have been particularly divisive in the Council. Last year MINUSCA’s report on the human rights situation in the country was only released after the renewal of MINUSCA’s mandate in November. Resolution 2709 of 15 November 2023, which renewed the mission’s mandate, therefore requested that the report be published before the next mandate renewal negotiations in November. Council members welcomed the June release of this year’s report, in line with resolution 2709. In the upcoming negotiations on MINUSCA’s mandate renewal in November, several Council members may attempt to strengthen the human rights language, although other members, such as China and Russia, might oppose such a step.
Some Council members continue to stress the need to ensure accountability and justice in the CAR. At tomorrow’s meeting, they may note the work of the Special Criminal Court (SCC)—a hybrid court, operational since 2018, composed of domestic and international judges to investigate, prosecute, and judge the most serious crimes committed in the CAR. The SCC arrested and indicted six individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the period covered by the Secretary-General’s report.
Another important issue for Council members is how to address the CAR government’s call for the total lifting of the suspension of diamond exports from the CAR. Touadéra reiterated this request in his 26 September statement at the general debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. This suspension was imposed by the Kimberley Process—a multi-stakeholder trade regime established in 2003 to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds—which has limited diamond export volumes and their per-carat value. The suspension limits exports from production areas in the east and some parts in the west of the CAR, according to the Panel of Experts supporting the work of the 2745 Sanctions Committee. This has led the CAR government to campaign for the lifting of the suspension. The Secretary-General’s MINUSCA report mentions a 9-15 September visit to the CAR by a Kimberley Process monitoring team, which followed a request from the CAR government and aimed to assess the security situation and control mechanisms in the non-compliant zones with the Kimberley Process framework.
At tomorrow’s meeting, there may also be reference to the upcoming renewal of MINIUSCA’s mandate. Council members are expected to express support for the extension of MINUSCA’s mandate for another year, as recommended by the Secretary-General’s report. During the upcoming negotiations, potential adjustments to the mandate and the mission’s transition may be discussed. The CAR authorities have emphasised the need to align the mandate with evolving priorities and realities on the ground, particularly advocating for more support for early recovery and development initiatives and may formally request the mandate to be adjusted accordingly. Additionally, the CAR authorities have raised concerns about tax exemptions under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with MINUSCA, citing pressing economic challenges. MINUSCA is exempt from taxation, but the CAR authorities are trying to increase their tax revenue by renegotiating the SOFA to include taxes from MINUSCA. Furthermore, the CAR has formally requested UN assistance for its upcoming presidential and legislative elections in 2025 and 2026. This may prompt Council members to consider strengthening MINUSCA’s mandate in the area of electoral support.
While the strategic review of MINUSCA, which was shared with Council members in August, noted that “there is currently no desire or request from the national authorities for the drawdown of MINUSCA”, some Council members, such as China, may still advocate for a reduction in the mission’s authorised strength.
