Timeline

 On 7 July 2011, Margaret Vogt, Special Representative of the Secretary General in the Central African Republic presented to the Security Council a report on the security situation in Central African Republic and on the activities of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in that country. After private consultations, the President of the Security Council issued a press statement stating the peacebuilding priorities in CAR: firm commitments for better governance, the launch of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process (DDR)and the security sector reform (SSR).

 The mandate of the UN Mission in CAR and Chad (MINURCAT) ended on 31 December 2010, pursuant to resolution 1923 of the Security Council.

 On 14 December 2011, Margaret Vogt, Special Representative of the Secretary General in the Central African Republic presented to the Security Council a report on the activities of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office and on general situation in Central African Republic. The Representative welcomed the significant progress in the disarmament and demobilization process with more than 4,700 former combatants demobilized in the North-West region. Mrs. Vogt noted the government’s efforts in terms of political governance and welcomed the reform of the electoral code and the creation of a permanent secretariat responsible for the organization of future elections.

Despite all these efforts, the Special Representative expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation in the country. The report described new displacements of civilians fleeing violence in many parts of the country. The presence of foreign armed groups in the north-west posed a serious threat to the stability of the country and the region. She also highlighted the critical lack of funding for humanitarian aid. The Special Representative urged the international community to act swiftly to preserve the peacebuilding process in this country

 On 21 December 2011, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2031 extending until 31 January 2013 the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Central African Republic (BINUCA).

 On 6 June 2012, the Security Council heard the briefing by Ms. Margaret Vogt, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, on the activities of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) and the situation in the country.

The Representative welcomed the Government’s efforts in light of the launch of a political dialogue with the opposition and the improvement of the security situation in the north-eastern border region.

She expressed deep concern about the surge of human rights violations committed by defence and security forces and over the presence of foreign armed militias that had been destabilizing many regions of the country.

On the initiative of France, the Security Council adopted a press statement in which it acknowledged the Government’s efforts, while emphasizing the political, security and human rights challenges to be addressed.

 On 18 December 2012, Mr. Abou Moussa, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), briefed the Security Council on UNOCA’s work, especially in the fight against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). He underlined the progresses of UNOCA in the field of preventive diplomacy since its creation in March 2012 and said that UNOCA was emblematic of the United Nations commitment in the region.

In his statement, the French Representative welcomed UNOCA’s efforts and recalled that, six months after its adoption, the implementation of the United Nations regional strategy on the fight against the LRA had to remain a priority. An action plan setting deadlines and concrete objectives could help in this endeavour.

 On 19 December 2012, Mr. Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, briefed the Council, in closed consultations, on the worrying situation in the Central African Republic after rebel groups captured several cities in the North-east of the country.

In a Security Council Press Statement presented at the initiative of France, the Security Council condemned the attacks and demanded that the armed groups immediately cease hostilities.

 On 27 December 2012, the Security Council issued a press statement condemning the continued attacks perpetrated by the “Seleka” coalition of armed groups which gravely undermine the Libreville Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

 On 3 January 2013, while rebels of the Seleka coalition had suspended their advance towards Bangui, the Security Council heard the briefing of Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for political affairs.

The Representative of France welcomed the mediation efforts of the regional organizations such as the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), especially the negotiations between all parties to take place in Libreville, on 8 January 2013. While remaining vigilant to further developments in Central African Republic, the Security Council should continue to support African peace efforts.

The Security Council adopted a press statement proposed by France on 4 January 2013.

 On 11 January 2013, the Security Council heard the briefings of Mrs Vogt, Special Representative of the Secretary General in CAR and Head of BINUCA, and Mrs Bangura, Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

This meeting took place a few hours after the announcement of an agreement reached in Libreville between the government and armed opposition groups, under the aegis of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). This agreement provided in particular for a cease-fire and for the formation of a national unity government with President Bozizé.

The Representative of France welcomed the conclusion of this agreement; the challenge was now in its implementation. If its mandate was strategically reassessed, BINUCA would probably play a role in the follow-up mecanism of these negotiations.

After this meeting, the Security Council adopted a French-drafted press statement, expressing its support to African efforts to resolve the crisis, and calling for the implementation of Libreville agreements.

 On 20 March 2013, after Seleka members of the Central African Republic government broke their agreement with the CAR government and resumed the fight, the Security Council met in closed consultations to hear Mrs Margaret Vogt, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Central African Republic, on the situation in the country.

Following these consultations, the Security Council adopted, at the initiative of France, a Press Statement condemning the attacks by Seleka and reminding the parties their duty to implement the Libreville Agreements in good faith.

 On 22 March 2013, while the Seleka rebels had forced a roadblock manned by the military force of Central African States (FOMAC) and were only twenty kilometers from the capital Bangui, the Security Council met in closed consultations to hear Mr. Taye-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, the present situation in the country. Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs

The Representative of France expressed his deep concern, saying that the rebel advance towards Bangui was an incontestable proof of the seriousness of the situation. He also stressed that the FOMAC was not prepared to deal with rebels.

Following the consultations, the Security Council adopted, to the initiative of France, a press statement calling on all the parties to respect the International Humanitarian law, the Human Rights and to ensure the protection of civilians.

 On 25 March 2013, as the Séléka rebels had taken Bangui and Michel Djotodia declared himself President of the Central African Republic, M.Tayé Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, reported to the Security Council the latest developments in the country.

The Representative of France condemned the unconstitutional change of government, noting that the security situation was very unstable. He stressed that the Libreville agreement was the only existing basis for a peaceful solution in the Central African Republic and that it was the duty of the Security Council to remind to the perpetrators of violations of Human Rights that they would be held accountable for their action.

Following the consultations, the Security Council adopted, to the initiative of France, a press statement strongly condemning the seizure of power by force in the Central African Republic and calling on all parties to refrain from any acts of violence against civilians.

 On 9 April 2013, Mrs Vogt, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Central African Republic, briefed the Security Council on the latest developments in the country after Michel Djotodia accepted on 4th April the transition plan discussed on the 3rd April by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) at the N’Djamena summit.

The French Representative reminded the need of an inclusive and rapid transition in Central African Republic, now running the risk of becoming a failed state. The Security Council will continue to pay the closest attention to the future N’Djamena summit, on 15 April, aiming at precising the procedures of this transition.

 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.

 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.