Central African Republic

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that heavy rains and flooding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo may exacerbate the country’s ongoing cholera epidemic.  The current outbreak, which began in July, is one of the most severe in years.  The latest reports find 55,000 cases, including nearly 1,200 deaths, for 2017 alone — double the number of cases in 2016.

On 29 December, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic held a meeting with Marie-Noëlle Koyara, Minister for National Defence of the Central African Republic, Henry Wanzet Linguissara, Minister for Interior and Public Security of the Central African Republic, Kenneth Gluck, Deputy Special Representative and Deputy Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Major General Fernando García Blázquez, Commander of the European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA), and the Panel of Experts to discuss the issues related to the arms embargo established by resolution 2127 (2013) and renewed by resolution 2339 (2017).

United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock today approved the largest-ever allocation by the Central Emergency Response Fund — $50 million — to rapidly bolster aid for Yemen.  The humanitarian situation there has deteriorated despite recent progress in opening key Red Sea ports to food and fuel shipments.

The United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic has strongly condemned violence by armed group members on 31 December against Muslim neighbourhoods that has led to deaths and population displacement in the north-west city of Paoua. The Mission has sent reinforcements and multiplied patrols to better prevent attacks.

On 4 December 2017, during its informal consultations with the Panel of Experts, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic drew attention to the recommendation contained in paragraph 256 (a) of the final report of the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic dated 6 December 2017 (document S/2017/1023), which is available on the Committee’s website (www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/2127/panel-of-experts/reports).

On 4 December 2017, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic held informal consultations to consider the final report of the Panel of Experts and hear briefings by the United Nations Mine Action Service and United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) on weapons and ammunition management in the country.

The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen briefed the Security Council, warning of alarming levels of violence affecting civilians and emphasizing an acute need for a negotiated settlement and inclusive peace process at a time of sharply shifting political dynamics following the killing of the former President.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Koro Bessho (Japan):

The Secretary-General, in a message to the United Nations Environment Assembly opening in Nairobi today, said that solutions to prevent, mitigate and manage pollution existed, and that beating pollution would help reduce poverty, improve health, create decent jobs, address climate change and protect life on earth and sea.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres: