The African Union welcomes the adoption of a resolution authorizing a United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the adoption, by the United Nations (UN) Security Council on 10 April 2014, of resolution 2149 (2014) authorizing the establishment of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic – Car (MINUSCA). The transfer of authority from the African-led International Support Mission in the Car (MISCA) to MINUSCA will take place on 15 September 2014.

Recalling the relevant provisions of the communiqué adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) on 7 March 2014, the Chairperson of the Commission stresses that the establishment of MINUSCA will mark a new step in the international community’s efforts to assist the CAR overcome the many challenges confronting it. She expresses the AU’s commitment to work jointly with the UN to ensure a seamless transition from MISCA to MINUSCA.

The Chairperson of the Commission commends the African members of the UN Security Council – A3 (Chad, Nigeria and Rwanda) for their active involvement in the elaboration of the resolution on the basis of the guidelines provided by the PSC in its communiqué of 7 March 2014 and in pursuance of the Conclusions of the Algiers Workshop of December 2013, which aim to strengthen the effectiveness of the African presence in the Security Council. The Chairperson of the Commission also notes with satisfaction the close consultations between the penholder (France) and the African side throughout the drafting of the resolution. Such consultations are in line with the relevant provisions of the communiqué on the partnership between the AU and the UN in the area of peace and security adopted by the PSC at its meeting held in New York on 23 September 2013, calling for the effective involvement of the African members of the Security Council in the drafting of the Council’s documents concerning Africa and for adequate, timeous, informal and formal consultations with the AU and its Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution. She expresses the hope that this practice will be sustained and systematized with regard to African issues on the agenda of the Security Council.

The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that, pending the transfer of authority, MISCA will continue fully to implement its mandate as determined by the PSC in its communiqué of 19 July 2013 and the UN Security Council in resolution 2127 (2013) of 5 December 2013. In particular, MISCA, with the support of the French Operation Sangaris and the planned EUFOR-RCA, will continue to lead the ongoing efforts to complete the initial stabilization phase, building on the significant progress made on the ground, so as to create conditions conducive to the success of MINUSCA. In this respect, she reiterates the AU’s call on Member States and partners to extend the necessary support to MISCA.

At the same time, the AU, working closely with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), will intensify its efforts to strengthen and coordinate international support to the CAR Transition, through the International Contact Group on the CAR (ICG-CAR), whose role is acknowledged in resolution 2149 (2014). In coordination with the Republic of Congo, as co-Chair of the ICG-CAR, the Commission is taking the follow-up steps agreed to during the fourth meeting of the Group held in Brazzaville, on 21 March 2014, to enhance its effectiveness and support to the Transition in the CAR. The Chairperson of the Commission calls on all AU partners, including the UN, to lend the necessary support to those efforts and avoid any duplication with the creation of another international mechanism.

The Chairperson of the Commission seizes this opportunity, once again, to pay tribute to the MISCA leadership and troop and police contributing countries for their commitment and the sacrifices made in pursuit of peace, security, stability and reconciliation in the CAR. She reiterates the AU’s appreciation to the ECCAS leaders, notably Presidents Idriss Deby Itno of Chad, Chair of ECCAS, and Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, ECCAS Mediator, for their relentless efforts and pro-activeness in the search for a lasting solution to the crisis in the CAR. She stresses that the continued role of the AU and the region, through ECCAS, will be crucial for the success of the ongoing process in the CAR.