UN Security Council extends mandate of mission in Central African Republic

UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for another year until Nov 15, 2020.

The council decided, through adopting Resolution 2499, that MINUSCA shall continue to comprise up to 11,650 military personnel and 2,080 police personnel, and recalled its intention to keep this number under continuous review.

The council decided that MINUSCA's strategic objective is to support the creation of the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to the sustainable reduction of the presence of, and threat posed by, armed groups through a comprehensive approach and proactive and robust posture without prejudice to the basic principles of peacekeeping.

It was the first mandate renewal following the signing of the Political Peace Agreement in the Central African Republic (CAR) between the government and 14 armed groups in Bangui on Feb 6.

The council reiterated its support to the CAR Government and its efforts to adhere to the country's Feb 6 political agreement.

Urging both the state and the armed group signatories to that agreement to implement it in good faith and without delay, the council also demanded that the latter cease all violations, including violence against civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel, and to immediately and unconditionally lay down their arms.

By other terms of the resolution, council members urged the government and other national stakeholders to prepare for inclusive, free, fair, transparent, credible, peaceful and timely elections in 2020 and 2021.

It called on them to push forward efforts to restore state authority over the entire CAR territory.

In addition, it laid out priority tasks for MINSUCA, including the protection of civilians; good offices and support to the peace process; support to preparations for peaceful elections; facilitating the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and the promotion and protection of human rights.

Among those priorities, the council also charged MINUSCA with various urgent temporary measures, including arresting and detaining individuals, at the formal request of national authorities, in places where the latter's security forces are not present or operational.

It made additional requests to the mission and other stakeholders in such areas as economic recovery and development, weapons and ammunition management, child protection, combating sexual violence and the fight against impunity.

The council also reiterated its concern about gaps in MINUSCA's capabilities and requested the secretary-general to allocate adequate personnel and expertise and to ensure MINUSCA's full compliance with the UN zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.

The latest secretary-general's report stressed the importance of holding presidential, legislative and local elections scheduled for 2020 and 2021 on time to consolidate peace and ensure stability. Given the limited capacity of the CAR and the country's security challenges, MINUSCA's strong support is essential throughout the electoral process, according to the secretary-general.

MINUSCA was started on April 10, 2014 to protect the CAR civilians under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The country has been in civil war since 2012, which is being fought along religious and ethnic lines. The government, which controls only a fifth of the country's territory, wants MINUSCA to take up more security responsibilities.