Security Council Press Statement on Central African Republic
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President María Cristina Perceval (Argentina):
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack against a convoy of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on 9 October in Bangui, in which one Pakistani peacekeeper was killed and several other peacekeepers from Pakistan and Bangladesh were severely injured.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed and the families of those injured and to the Governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as to the Transitional Authorities and the people of the Central African Republic, and to MINUSCA.
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against MINUSCA by armed groups. They underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute a war crime and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law. They called on the Central African authorities to condemn the attack against MINUSCA and to swiftly investigate, with the assistance of MINUSCA, this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. They stressed that those responsible for the attack shall be held accountable.
They expressed their concern about the upsurge of violence over the recent days in Bangui and called for an end to such violence. They strongly condemned all attacks against civilians and acts of violence between communities. They reiterated their support for the President of the Transition Samba-Panza and the Transitional Authorities and their call on all armed groups in the Central African Republic to immediately and fully implement the agreement for Cessation of Hostilities and Violence signed on 23 July in Brazzaville, and lay down their arms. They underlined that an inclusive dialogue between all parties is the only way towards reconciliation and lasting peace.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their resolve in line with their decision in para 37 (f) of resolution 2134 (2014) to apply the sanctions measures contained in paragraphs 30 and 32 of the resolution to individuals and entities involved in the planning, directing, sponsoring, or conducting attacks against the United Nations Mission as well as other security presences in the Central African Republic.
The members of the Security Council reiterated the importance of taking all measures deemed necessary to strengthen United Nations field security arrangements and improve the safety and security of all MINUSCA and associated personnel.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to MINUSCA, and to European Union and French forces deployed in the Central African Republic.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their support for MINUSCA to assist the Transitional Authorities, which bear the primary responsibility to protect the population, and the people of the Central African Republic in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country, as mandated by the Security Council in resolution 2149 (2014).