Central African Republic – PRESS STATEMENT

BANGUI, Central African Republic, March 21, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The members of the Security Council were briefed on 20 March 2013, by Ms. Margaret Vogt, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, on the situation in the Central African Republic.

The members of the Security Council expressed strong concern at the deterioration of the security situation in CAR. They condemned the attacks conducted recently by rebels from the “Seleka” coalition, in particular in Bangassou and the surrounding region, and the threat of a resumption of hostilities.

The members of the Security Council also condemned the threats by militias and related movements against civilians and called upon all actors, including the media, to refrain from inciting violence.

The members of the Security Council recalled their support to the agreements signed in Libreville on 11 January 2013 under the auspices of the Economic Community of the Central African States (ECCAS). They reiterated their call to the Government, the “Seleka” coalition, armed groups and the democratic opposition to abide in good faith by their commitments pursuant to these agreements, and called on ECCAS to strongly support the follow-up committees called for by the Libreville agreements in order to ensure the full implementation of the agreements, and help to restore national peace and security.

The members of the Security Council commended the efforts made by ECCAS, supported by the African Union, to solve this crisis.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the appointment of Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye. They recalled that, according to the political agreement signed in Libreville, the Prime Minister is the head of the government of national unity which is in charge of implementing the priorities defined in article 5 of this agreement.

The members of the Security Council stressed that all parties to the Libreville agreements have to fully implement their commitments, and called on the unity government to take forward its reform agenda, and in particular the Security Sector Reform.

The members of the Security Council underlined that those on all sides undermining the implementation of the Libreville agreements jeopardize the precarious stability of CAR and that they must immediately stop their actions.

The members of the Security Council expressed strong concern at the humanitarian situation, including the risk of a food crisis, and called on all parties to immediately cease all acts of violence and abuses committed against civilians, including children. They called on all parties to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access and to safeguard humanitarian installations, material and vehicles to ensure safe delivery of humanitarian assistance and to ensure the protection of civilians against violence.

The members of the Security Council expressed serious concerns at reports of human rights violations and abuses, in particular reports on the targeting of persons belonging to ethnic minorities and illegal detentions, and at the continued violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including recruitment and use of children in armed conflict and sexual and gender-based violence. They emphasized that such activities must cease immediately and that those responsible for such violations and abuses should be held accountable. They called on the Seleka leadership and the CAR government to ensure that their forces respect human rights and international humanitarian law.