EU Statement – UN Peacebuilding Commission: Meeting on the Central African Republic

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President, 

The EU welcomes this discussion in the Peacebuilding Commission on the Central African Republic (CAR). After our meeting on Tuesday on Chad, it is yet an example of how member states can engage with the UN system through the PBC as a forum for support and advice on building peace. I express our appreciation to the briefers. 

The EU would also like to congratulate the authorities of CAR and Morocco on the organization of the roundtable on the CAR’s Plan National de Développement 2024-2028 that was recently held in Casablanca.  

We welcome the July peace agreements between the government of CAR and armed groups 3R and UPC; they underscore the importance of a holistic approach to the pacification of the CAR. The EU reiterates its longstanding and multidimensional support for peacebuilding, governance and development in the CAR. We look forward to continued progress with regard to disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration which we stand ready to support. 

The EU reiterates its concerns regarding the presence of unconventional foreign forces and disinformation campaigns inciting violence.  While the EU is considering further support with regards to the implementation of the before-mentioned peace agreements, any risk of these being influenced by unconventional foreign forces is unacceptable for the EU. 

The population has the right to expect inclusive, transparent and credible general elections. The local elections in December in particular should be a catalyst to relaunch the decentralization process. The EU has contributed to the UNDP basked fund in support of the preparation of the elections. We also welcome the announcement by the Ministry of Finance for a contribution from the national budget. 

With regards to the Rule of Law and Justice sector, the EU has mobilised, together with MINUSCA, support for the functioning of the Special Criminal Court.  In the current context – as mentioned in the concept note for this meeting – we encourage the CAR authorities to continue their efforts to maintain the work of the Court, including by reaching out to other potential partners. 

I take the opportunity to commend the role played by the UN in supporting stabilisation efforts, not in the least through MINUSCA and the Peacebuilding Fund. 

In closing, I want to emphasize the long track record of partnership between the EU and the Central African Republic. You can count on us to remain strongly engaged in close collaboration with the CAR authorities. 

Thank you.