Security Council Press Statement on Central African Republic

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Oh Joon ( Republic of Korea):

The members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest terms the recent attacks in the Central African Republic, including those committed on 28 May on the church of Notre Dame de Fatima in Bangui in which civilians, including displaced persons and a priest, were killed and others were injured and abducted.  They further condemn in the strongest terms the violence in Bangui earlier this week during which three Muslim youths were killed by suspected anti-Balaka elements on their way to an inter-communal reconciliation football match, as well as the destruction of one of the last mosques in Bangui on 29 May.

The members of the Security Council demand that all militias and armed groups and elements put aside their arms, cease all forms of violence and destabilizing activities immediately in order to end the cycle of violence and retaliation.

The members of the Security Council reiterate that the Central African Republic Transitional Authorities have the primary responsibility to protect civilians and encourage these Authorities to take the necessary measures to prevent further violence in the capital and throughout the country.  The members stressed the urgent and imperative need to end impunity in the Central African Republic and the need for the Transitional Authorities to take immediate and concrete measures to ensure that the perpetrators of these acts are held accountable.

The members of the Security Council call for the acceleration of the political and national reconciliation process in order to lay the ground for an end to violence, and in this regard they call on the Transitional Authorities to demonstrate their commitment to this process and to take concrete steps in this direction, with the support of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the Economic Community of Central African States and the African Union.

The members of the Security Council underline the importance of and reiterate their support for the role played by the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA), French Forces and the European Union Force Central African Republic, as well as MINUSCA to protect civilians as mandated by its resolutions 2127 (2013) and 2134 (2014) in support of the efforts of the Central African Republic Transitional Authorities.

The members of the Security Council call on Member States and regional and international organizations to increase troop, financial, logistical and in-kind contributions to MISCA to enable it to implement fully its mandate and help prepare for the transfer of authority from MISCA to MINUSCA on 15 September.  They further request the Secretary-General to take all necessary steps and to accelerate the preparations for a successful and swift transition of authority.

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For information media • not an official record