During its weekly press conference, MINUSCA Interim Spokesperson Joël Ndoli Pierre highlighted several advances made in recent days in the implementation of the Mission’s mandate. Discussions focused in particular on cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, Security Sector Reform, decentralization, recent developments in Am-Dafock, as well as disarmament activities and efforts to reduce community violence.
Opening his remarks, the Interim Spokesperson referred to the meeting held last week in Addis Ababa between the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSCA, Valentine Rugwabiza, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress made in the Central African Republic, notably the successful completion of the combined elections, as well as the continued cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union to preserve the gains of peace and support the country in this new phase.
Addressing the issue of decentralization, Joël Ndoli Pierre stated that the Mission continues to support the national authorities in the installation of the newly elected municipal teams. He highlighted, in particular, the provision of office equipment to the municipal authorities in Paoua, the swearing-in of mayors and deputy mayors in Bossangoa as civil registry officers, and the continuation of this process in several other prefectures to make the new local authorities fully operational.
Turning to the situation in Am-Dafock, which had prompted several questions during the previous press conference, the Interim Spokesperson stated that the situation remains calm, although it is still fragile. He recalled that MINUSCA continues to focus its efforts on three priorities: protection of civilians, support for maintaining State authority, and facilitating the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance. In this regard, the Mission continues to assist with the deployment of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and their equipment to Am-Dafock. A new humanitarian rotation also made it possible to deliver an additional 1,284 kilograms of assistance, bringing the total volume of aid transported with MINUSCA’s support since the events of 30 June to more than four metric tons.
Finally, the Interim Spokesperson presented the latest results of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and Community Violence Reduction (CVR) programs. In Bangui, an operation conducted with MINUSCA’s support led to the formal registration of some 30 ex-combatants, as well as the collection of several weapons and ammunition.
InKoui, in Ouham-Pendé Prefecture, 100 beneficiaries, including 51 women, received 60 head of cattle after completing livestock-rearing training under the CVR program. This initiative is aimed at strengthening their socio-economic reintegration and sustainably consolidating peace within local communities.
