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Central African Republic

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1. Latest developments in New York

On 15 May 2013, the Security Council gathered in the presence of Mr. Nicolas Tiangaye, Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, and of the Permanent Representative of Tchad to hear the briefing by Mrs. Margaret Vogt, Special Representative of the Secretary General in the Central African Republic.

She reported looting and mass violations of Human rights, while Michel Djotodia did not respect his commitments towards the Central African people and the international community.

During the following closed consultations, the French Representative showed grave concern on the suffering and distress of the Central African people. While the summits in N’Djamena and Brazzaville contributed to set the outlines of a political transition which would put an end to the crisis, the re-establishment of security, an absolute requirement to launch this transition, was an emergency.

On 29 April 2013, the Security Council gathered in closed consultations to hear the briefing by Mr. Feltman, Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, on the situation in the country. The French Representative said it was alarming, be it at the securitarian or humanitarian level. At the initiative of France, the Council adopted a press statement expressing its strong concern on the matter and calling on competent authorities to restore peace.

The complete timeline of events here.

2. Background

1. The United Nations’ action in CAR through the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office (BINUCA)

Since 2003, Central African Republic has experienced political instability and violence perpetrated by politico-military groups, including the CPJP (Convention of Patriots for Peace and Justice) and FPR (Popular Front for Reconstruction).

The United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Central African Republic (BINUCA), created by a presidential statement of the Security Council of 7 April 2009, aims at coordinating the efforts to support the process of national reconciliation, of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), and of security sector reform (SSR).

Negotiations between the BINUCA, the government of CAR and armed rebel groups have enabled encouraging developments including the signing of a cease-fire agreement with the armed group CPJP on 12 June 2011 and the launch of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program announced by President Bozize on 25 June 2011.

2. The Central African Republic on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission

CAR is on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission since June 2008. The Peacebuilding Commission supports post-conflict recovery, reintegration and reconstruction through the efforts of its Steering Committee for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process (SCDDR).

3. The United Nations Mission in Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) : September 2008 - December 2010

In order to deal with the regional repercussions of the humanitarian crisis (half a million refugees and displaced persons) in eastern Chad and Northeastern CAR, France encouraged the adoption of resolution 1778 (25 September 2007), which authorized the deployment of a United Nations mission in both countries, the United Nations Mission in Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) - supported by a military component entrusted to the European Union, EUFOR Chad / RCA. The mission aimed to restore the security conditions necessary for the voluntary and sustainable return of persons displaced by conflict in the border region of Chad, Central African Republic and Sudan.

EUFOR mission ended in march 2009, MINUCART taking over the restauration of the security situation.

Handover ceremony from EUFOR to MINURCAT (March 15, 2009). Soldiers changing command and berets (Abéché)

Following the stabilization of the security situation, the Security Council adopted resolution 1923 to renew and adapt MINURCAT’s mandate. This resolution implements a full withdrawal of MINURCAT and the end of the mission’s mandate on 31 December 2010.

The Security Council adopted on 20 December 2010 a presidential statement (S/2010/29), which recalled the commitment of Chad to protect refugees, displaced persons and humanitarian workers after 31 December 2010. The declaration recalled the importance of the "Integrated Security Detachment (DIS)” in Chad, established with the support of MINURCAT for the protection of refugees and displaced persons. Concerning the Central African Republic, in a context of instability in the Northeast of the country, the statement called for a strengthening of the Central African Armed Forces, for an increased cooperation between Chad, Sudan and CAR to secure their common borders, and for a strengthening of the presence of MICOPAX (force deployed by the Economic Community of Central African States) in CAR if need be.