Security Council Sanctions Committee Concerning Central African Republic Convenes Meeting with Regional States on Arms Embargo

On 21 August 2015, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic (CAR) held a meeting with the representatives of the CAR, its neighbouring States and the Coordinator of the Panel of Experts with a view to discussing the arms embargo, embargo exemptions procedures and the implementation of the sanctions measures imposed by resolutions 2127 (2013) and 2134 (2014), as renewed by resolution 2196 (2015).

Regional States and Committee members welcomed the opportunity to exchange views on the implementation of the embargo and its exemptions procedures, including the prospect of States submitting exemption requests regarding military equipment belonging to the CAR which is currently in the region.

In this context, Committee members encouraged the CAR authorities to move towards creating effective systems to properly store, manage, mark and trace stockpiles of weapons.  It was noted that the effective implementation of the arms embargo would go a long way towards promoting peace in the country and the region.

Delegations also expressed their commitment towards reducing impunity in CAR, and welcomed the addition, on 20 August 2015, of the names of three individuals and one entity to the Committee’s sanctions list.

Members noted that the Committee would continue to closely monitor the situation in the country in the lead-up to the elections, paying due attention to acts subject to sanctions as outlined in paragraphs 11 and 12 of resolution 2196 (2015).

The Chair also expressed her readiness to convene further discussions with the representatives of the Central African Republic and the regional States regarding the implementation of the sanctions measures, particularly following her return from a visit to the CAR.