UN mission chief urges Security Council to retain forces in Central African Republic

Valentine Rugwabiza, head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, urged the Security Council on 20 October to retain sufficient troops and operational capabilities when it renews the mission’s mandate. She warned that insecurity in the north-east could put fragile gains at risk. MINUSCA’s current mandate expires on 15 November. [1]

Rugwabiza said the mission had faced a “difficult decision” to move troops and aircraft from other priority locations to respond to violence around Am-Dafok, near the Sudanese border. “The security situation in the north-east remains a cause of serious concern,” she told the council. Her appeal did not specify how many troops or what additional capabilities would be needed. [1]

The debate is also about when MINUSCA can hand responsibilities to Central African authorities. According to UN coverage of the meeting, France warned that a rushed transfer could jeopardise recent gains. The United States cautioned against a peacekeeping mission becoming the permanent status quo and called for national authorities to take the lead on security reform. [1]

In its published statement, the UK welcomed progress on elected institutions and disarmament while warning of persistent insecurity in border areas. It called for any transition to be gradual and based on conditions on the ground, with Central African security institutions taking greater responsibility over time. [2]

The council’s decision on MINUSCA’s next mandate is still ahead. Rugwabiza’s request and the differing views on the pace of transition set out the choices facing members before 15 November. [1]