Amidst ongoing human rights violations, the UK urges parties across Central Africa to work towards a peace process
Statement by Alice Jacobs, UK Deputy Political Coordinator at the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Central Africa
Thank you President and to SRSG Rugwabiza and Ambassador Hilale for their detailed briefings. We welcome the UN Peacebuilding Commission input to today’s Council discussion, highlighting the broader work to support peacebuilding in CAR.
I would like to make three points in response to what we have heard today.
First, the United Kingdom agrees with others today that the Political Agreement for Peace and Stability in the Central African Republic is the only viable option to end conflict and crisis in the country.
This needs renewed commitment from all parties involved to revitalise the peace process. Building on steps forward last December, we call on the CAR authorities, with the support of the region and MINUSCA, to ensure tangible political progress and meaningful engagement with all political actors in the country.
Second, the increased numbers of human rights violations and abuses over the last year remain deeply concerning. FACA and Wagner, through their joint operations, are now responsible for the majority of these violations. Put simply, the CAR Government must do better to protect their civilian population, and in particular the Fulani and Muslim communities.
We continue to urge the government to conduct full and timely investigations into allegations of human rights violations and abuses, and to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable.
Third, President, the United Kingdom would like to commend the efforts of MINUSCA. As a key player in supporting the peace process, MINUSCA must be able to implement its mandate without interference.
In this regard, the UK welcomes the removal of restrictions to MINUSCA’s freedom of movement, including reinstating night flights for medical and casualty evacuations.
Continued violations of the Status of Forces Agreement impede MINUSCA’s safety and effectiveness. Therefore I join others in expressing concerns at the removal of MINUSCA’s airport surveillance camera and the Government’s recent ban on unmanned aerial systems, which both undermine MINUSCA’s surveillance capability, as the SRSG highlighted today. We call on the CAR authorities to maintain full freedom of movement by allowing MINUSCA unhindered and immediate access throughout the territory of CAR.
President, the United Kingdom will continue to work with international partners to support the Government of CAR in implementing the peace agreement in order to end violence, build stability and protect human rights.
Thank you.