The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic (CAR) until 15 November 2017, keeping an authorized troop ceiling of 10,750 military personnel intact and providing time for the mission to assess the post-transition process in the country.

Through a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body called on the CAR authorities to urgently implement a genuine and inclusive reconciliation, and urged them to address the presence and activity of armed groups by implementing a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes dialogue and the urgent implementation of an inclusive disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration programme and security sector reform.

The resolution also called on the authorities to take concrete steps to strengthen justice institutions and to fight impunity, and swiftly operationalize the Special Criminal Court (SCC). Further, it called for their continued efforts to restore the effective authority of the State over the whole territory, including by redeploying State administration in the provinces, and ensuring the timely payment of salaries to civil servants and Security forces.

In line with those calls, the Council said the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) would include immediate priority tasks, such as the protection of civilians by “maintaining a robust, mobile and flexible posture,” the promotion and protection of human rights, and facilitation of a secure environment for the immediate, full, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The Council also decided that the Mission's core priority tasks would include the provision of support for the reconciliation and stabilization political processes, the extension of state authority and for security sector reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes.

On the political front, the Council expressed its support for Faustin-Archange Touadéra as President of the CAR, and welcomed the formation of the Government. It urged the authorities to implement a genuine and inclusive reconciliation by addressing local grievances across the entire national territory.

Recalling the crucial role of civil society in ensuring that the political solution addressed the root causes of the conflict in the country, the Council underscored the importance of respect for the constitution so as to ensure the country's long-term stabilization and development.

By further terms of the wide-ranging resolution, the Secretary-General was requested to keep the Council regularly informed of the situation in the CAR and the implementation of the mandate of MINUSCA, and report to the Council by 1 October 2016, and every four months after that.

UN News centre