Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida Filho, at the UN Security Council meeting on MINUSCA - February 21st, 2023

My delegation would like to thank SRSG Valentine Rugwabiza and Ambassador Omar Hilale, chair of the Peacebuilding Commission CAR configuration, for their presentations and insights.

We welcome in particular the opportunity to deal with the situation in the Central African Republic counting on the perspective of the PBC. My delegation not only lends full support to further cooperation between the Council and the PBC, but also intends to work, in its capacity as liaison between the two bodies, to strengthen such interaction and make it happen more often.

Regular interaction and dialogue, when based on constructive engagement, will eventually bear fruit, as we can see from the lifting of restrictions on the Mission’s night flights. We commend the SRSG and the CAR authorities for reaching a solution to this critical issue. It is a major fator to help MINUSCA fulfill its mandate and provide better protection to its peacekeepers and civil personnel alike, in what otherwise remains a challenging security and humanitarian environment.

With particular regard to the ongoing security and humanitarian challenges on the ground, there are two points my delegation wishes to highlight at this stage. The first is    our deep concern related to incidents with explosive ordnance, including improvised devices, for the risk they represent to the safety of peacekeepers and civilians. We must ensure that MINUSCA be equipped to tackle that threat. The second point is our belief that renewed emphasis on strategic communication would be timely and could contribute to improve the situation.

It is encouraging to hear that MINUSCA has been able to assist the Central African authorities to improve the presence and capacity of local officials throughout several prefectures across the country. At the same time, we believe that ensuring independence and balance among State institutions, at all levels, is as important as developing their capacities. In addition, Brazil echoes the calls of the Peacebuilding Commission CAR configuration to ensure that every step in the peace process be inclusive.

Another point we wish to underscore is the key role played by the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes in the implementation of the 2019 Peace and Reconciliation Agreement and encourage the Central African authorities to persevere on their work in this field. We hope the collaboration between the government and MINUSCA to put in place violence reduction programmes in local communities will continue to have a positive impact on the global DDR efforts. Furthermore, it is necessary to advance with the national recovery plan and provide a socio-economic foundation to the peace process.

My delegation believes that it is equally important to strengthen the rule of law, especially in light of the various reports on human rights and international humanitarian law violations committed against civilians, as well as the security violations to the Political agreement by certain armed groups. We understand that the CAR authorities and the international community have the same degree of ambition in achieving this goal. In this regard, we would like to reiterate our support to (i) the efforts of the local authorities to deliver justice, in particular the work of the Special Criminal Court since April and (ii) the action undertaken by MINUSCA to assist in the operationalization of the Truth, Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation Committee.

Madam President,

My last point concerns the contribution of regional organisations to the peace process in the Central African Republic. We reiterate our full support to see the renewed engagement of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region in favour of the implementation of the September 2021 roadmap. We also welcome the initiative of Special Representatives and Special Envoys in Central Africa to work on common strategic vision on a number of critical regional issues. Their cross-border nature makes concerted action essential.

While we focus on the work of MINUSCA, Brazil also understands the enormity of the challenges faced on the ground by the CAR authorities in addressing this phase of its political life.

I thank you.