Arms Embargo

I. Relevant Security Council resolutions and Guidelines of the Committee

The exemptions from the arms embargos are guided by the following:

  • Security Council Resolution 2648 (2022): paragraph 1 (a-h) as modified and renewed by paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution 2693 (2023)
  • Security Council Resolution 2399 (2018): paragraph 1 (a-h)
  • Committee Guidelines: Section 10 (a-k)

 

II. Who is entitled to submit the arms embargo exemption requests or notifications?


Only Member States (usually through their Permanent or Observer Mission to the United Nations), or the international, regional or subregional organization or agency supplying the equipment. By paragraph 2 of resolution 2693 (2023), the Security Council decided that  the supplying Member State or international, regional or subregional organization is primarily responsible for notifying the Committee, and that such notification must be in advance of the delivery of any supplies. By the same paragraph, the Council reaffirmed that such notification shall no longer apply to the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materiel and the provision of assistance, advice and training to the CAR security forces, in accordance with paragraph 1 of the same resolution.

III. What type of arms embargo exemptions are currently in force?


Cases where the Security Council decided that the arms embargo measures do not apply are broadly categorized below subject to requirement or non-requirement of approval or notification to the Committee. 


1. Arms embargo exemptions requiring Committee approval

a) Pursuant to paragraph 1 (h) of resolution 2648 (2022) as decided by paragraph 2 of resolution 2693 (2023), other sales or supply of arms and related materiel, or provision of assistance or personnel, as approved in advance by the Committee.

2. Arms Embargo requiring notification to the Committee

a) Pursuant to paragraph 1 (a) of resolution 2648 (2022) as decided by paragraph 2 of resolution 2693 (2023), supplies intended solely for the support of or use by MINUSCA, and the European Union training missions deployed in the CAR, French Forces under the conditions provided by paragraph 52 of resolution 2552 (2020), and other Member States' forces providing training and assistance as notified in advance in accordance with paragraph 1 (b) of resolution 2648 (2022);

b) Pursuant to paragraph 1 (c) of resolution 2648 (2022) as decided by paragraph 2 of resolution 2693 (2023), supplies brought into the CAR by Chadian or Sudanese forces solely for their use in international patrols of the tripartite force established on 23 May 2011 in Khartoum by the CAR, Chad and Sudan, to enhance security in the common border areas, in cooperation with MINUSCA, as notified to the Committee;

c) Pursuant to paragraph 1 (d) of resolution 2648 (2022) as decided by paragraph 2 of resolution 2693 (2023), supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, and related technical assistance or training, as notified in advance to the Committee;

d) Pursuant to paragraph 1 (f) of resolution 2648 (2022) as decided by paragraph 2 of resolution 2693 (2023), supplies of small arms and other related equipment intended solely for use in international patrols providing security in the Sangha River Tri-national Protected Area and by armed wildlife rangers of the Chinko Project and the Bamingui-Bangoran National Park to defend against poaching, smuggling of ivory and arms, and other activities contrary to the national laws of the CAR or the CAR’s international legal obligations, as notified in advance to the Committee;

3. Standing Arms Embargo exemptions


The following materials and recipients are exempt from the arms embargo:

a) Pursuant to paragraph 1 of resolution 2693 (2023), supplies, sales or transfers of arms and related materiel and the provision of assistance, advice and training to the CAR security forces, including state civilian law enforcement institutions.
b) Pursuant to paragraph 1 (e) of resolution 2648 (2022) as decided by paragraph 2 of resolution 2693 (2023), protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets, temporarily exported to the CAR by United Nations personnel, representatives of the media and humanitarian and development workers associated personnel, for their personal use only.