Activities of Secretary‑General in Central African Republic, Including Stopover in Cameroon, 23‑28 October
United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres departed New York on Monday, 23 October, for the Central African Republic.
Upon arrival in Bangui on Tuesday afternoon, he travelled to the Hospital of the United Nations peacekeeping operation — United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, known as MINUSCA — to visit wounded peacekeepers. He later laid a wreath for fallen peacekeepers at MINUSCA’s Logistics Base.
He then celebrated United Nations Day with the senior staff from the Mission, diplomatic representatives and the President of the Central African Republic. (See Press Release SG/SM/18762.)
On Wednesday morning, the Secretary‑General met with the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin Archange Touadéra, and members of his Government. In remarks to press afterwards, the Secretary-General said that he was making a visit of active solidarity. He called on the international community to engage in the country because there is an opportunity to build a new Central African Republic that is peaceful, secure and prosperous. He also reiterated the need to strengthen the United Nations Mission, MINUSCA, so it can better protect the population.
The Secretary‑General and his delegation then travelled to Bangassou in the southeast of the country. At the local MINUSCA camp, he laid a wreath to honour Moroccan and Cambodian soldiers killed earlier in the year in the line of duty as United Nations forces tried to protect the population. In addressing representatives of the contingents, he told them how proud he was to be one of their colleagues and that their efforts were courageous as they attempted to keep the peace in areas where all too often there is no peace to keep. (See Press Release SG/SM/18763.)
From there, the Secretary‑General went to the compound of the Catholic Church in Bangassou, which is now home to more than 1,200 Muslim residents of the area. They had sought shelter from communal violence earlier in the year. The Secretary‑General listened as a 14‑year‑old Muslim girl named Fatimah explained her community’s situation and concerns, as well as their wish for reconciliation. In speaking to the assembled crowd, the Secretary‑General expressed his personal solidarity with the people of Bangassou and urged them to work for reconciliation. He underscored that would not be easy. The Secretary‑General excoriated politicians who use religion to divide communities that often worship the same God, albeit with a different name. He also urged religious leaders to live up to their responsibilities. Religious leaders need to be apostles for peace, said the Secretary‑General. (See Press Release SG/SM/18765.)
Before flying back to Bangui, the Secretary‑General met with local authorities and civil society leaders, including the Bishop of Bangassou, Juan‑José Aguirre Muñoz, also encouraging them with a message of reconciliation.
On Wednesday evening, he met with the United Nations humanitarian and development team, as well as with representatives of international and local non-governmental organizations working in the Central African Republic.
On Thursday, the Secretary‑General met with President Touadéra and members of his cabinet. The President and others briefed the Secretary-General on the national reconstruction and consolidation plan.
Speaking to the press afterwards, the Secretary‑General saluted the Government’s efforts to consolidate peace in the country and pledged the United Nations support to the extension of national institutions. He also pleaded with the international community not to abandon the Central African Republic. Everyone needs to be mobilized to help the country build the future its citizens deserve, he said.
Later in the morning, at the MINUSCA headquarters, the Secretary-General met with ambassadors from the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States.
He then had a separate meeting with local religious leaders and civil society leaders. He told them how much the Central African Republic needs a strong and vibrant civil society. He also reiterated his zero tolerance for any sexual abuse or exploitation by United Nations personnel. The Secretary‑General outlined his new approach, including a closer partnership with troop-contributing countries. He also introduced to them Jane Connors, the new Victims’ Rights Advocate, who was accompanying him.
The Secretary‑General then met with representatives of political parties. He told them that the current situation in the country can only be solved with a political solution, which cannot be imposed from the outside.
The Secretary‑General received a briefing from the European Union on its training mission of the armed forces of the Central African Republic.
He also held a meeting with over 100 members of the United Nations military and police contingents at M’poko airport. In his discussion, the Secretary‑General told them of his pride of being their colleague and for the work they are doing for the people of the Central African Republic. He also stressed that the United Nations’ conduct in the country had to be exemplary and that, as we protect vulnerable populations, we also need to protect their human rights.
That evening, the Secretary‑General met with victims of sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel. In a tweet, he said he was deeply moved by this meeting. All they seek is justice, and I am determined to fight impunity, he said.
On Friday morning, 27 October, after meeting with the President of the National Assembly of the Central African Republic, Abdou Karim Meckassoua, the Secretary‑General addressed the Assembly. He told the lawmakers that he wanted to pay his respects to the resilience and courage of the people of the Central African Republic as they surmount the many challenges facing their country. (See Press Release SG/SM/18769.)
He strongly defended the role of the United Nations peacekeeping force, recalling the ultimate sacrifice of peacekeepers as they defended the civilian population. He said that while peacekeepers cannot be everywhere and cannot alone bring peace back to the Central African Republic, their actions can assist in creating a space to build peace through dialogue. He also underscored the impartiality of the peacekeepers who, he stressed, do not favour any ethnic or religious group.
The Secretary‑General told members of the National Assembly that no one is better placed than the Central Africans themselves to rebuild their country. But he also once again called on the international community not to forget the Central African Republic and its people. He noted the historical generosity of the Central Africans who, over the years, had opened their borders to refugees from neighbouring countries. The Secretary‑General pledged that the United Nations would continue to accompany and support the people of the Central African Republic.
He then travelled to the PK5 area, a traditionally Muslim part of Bangui that has been the site of violence against the community. He listened to the concerns of community leaders, including issues regarding safety and discrimination, as well as the lack of economic opportunities for young people. He also heard from local Christian leaders who spoke of reconciliation.
The Secretary‑General thanked all the participants for their messages of inclusivity. He underscored his deep belief that so-called religious conflicts are often the result of political manipulation and not religious differences. He noted that for years, Christians and Muslims had coexisted peacefully in the Central African Republic. (See Press Release SG/SM/18768.)
The Secretary‑General then held a round table with youth leaders at the National Art School of Bangui. He heard their plea for peace and a greater United Nations presence. The Secretary‑General encouraged them to get more involved in the life of their country. He also pledged that the United Nations Mission would be more open to discussion with youth groups.
At the same location, the Secretary‑General then held a separate session with a group of women leaders. They shared their view of the situation in the country and expressed their frustration at the lack of women’s participation in the political reconciliation process. The Secretary‑General listened intently to the views around the table and agreed that no credible peace process could ever succeed without active and equal participation of women’s groups. He also pledged the United Nations would help them increase their participation in mediation efforts.
Before departing the Central African Republic, the Secretary‑General held a press encounter at the M’Poko International Airport.
On his return journey, during a stopover in Yaoundé, the Secretary‑General met with President Paul Biya of Cameroon. They discussed regional and national issues.
The Secretary‑General arrived in New York on Saturday, 28 October.