SRSG FALL BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON CAR

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000251 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPKO PREF PREL UNSC CD CT SU SUBJECT: SRSG FALL BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON CAR ¶1. Summary: On March 10, the Council was briefed on recent developments in the Central African Republic (CAR) by SRSG Fall, along with Belgium Perm Rep Grauls, who chairs the Central African Republic (CAR) configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. CAR Perm Rep Poukre-Kono also addressed the Council, urging implementation of the Secretary General's (SYG) proposal for an integrated peacebuilding office. French Perm Rep Ripert indicated that France would table a Presidential Statement (PRST) concerning integration of the UN mission in CAR. Council members recognized positive developments in CAR, particularly implementation of the recommendations from the Inclusive Political Dialogue, but expressed concern with recent violence in northern CAR. Most members expressed support for the French PRST proposal. End Summary. SRSG Fall and Perm Rep Grauls Brief the Council -------------- -- ¶2. The Special Representative of the Secretary General for the Central African Republic, Francois Fall, was joined by the chair of CAR configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, Belgium Perm Rep Johann Grauls, in briefing the Security Council on recent developments in CAR. SRSG Fall will leave his position in CAR soon; this was his last Council briefing. Fall stated that, despite the positive developments created by implementation of the Inclusive Political Dialogue recommendations, CAR,s progress toward stability remained precarious. Fall cited recent attacks on government facilities, riots in Bangui and the refusal of two rebel groups to join the Libreville peace process as challenges to stability. Fall also noted that the main rebel groups failed to meet a February deadline to provide a list of their combatants prior to the launching of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and were now expected to submit their lists by March 19. ¶3. Belgium Perm Rep Grauls spoke for the Peacebuilding Commission, noting the need for donors to assist the country in tackling "a deterioration in living conditions." Grauls listed several concerns: the resurgence of violence in the North leading to additional displaced persons; the need for all parties to continue to implement the terms of the Libreville Peace Agreement and the National Dialogue; and the lack of progress toward launching DDR. Grauls said the PBC would work to raise donor financing for DDR. He asked the government to finalize disbursement of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community's (CEMAC) 16 million USD contribution towards DDR. Grauls also urged the SYG to quickly appoint Fall's successor. CAR Perm Rep Poukre-Kono briefly spoke, emphasizing the need for the UN to fully implement the SYG,s proposal for an integrated peacebuilding office capable of addressing security, development, and political issues with a coordinated strategy in CAR. Council Members React -------------- ¶4. Security Council members expressed support for swift implementation of an UN integrated office in CAR and asked the SYG to move quickly to appoint Fall,s successor. France proposed, and other members supported, a PRST endorsing the SYG,s plan. In response to a question from Mexico, SRSG Fall said the integrated office would be funded at the same level as the current United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in CAR (BONUCA) for 2009. ¶5. France and Uganda emphasized the need for countries with influence over rebel groups not participating in the peace process to urge those groups to commit to the Libreville terms. Libya,s intervention focused on CAR President Bozizie,s trip to Tripoli last week. Libyan DPR Dabbashi said that Qadhafi and Bozizie had discussed "ways and means" to help all rebel groups join the Libreville process. (Note: Rebel leader Abdoulaye Miskine reportedly resides in Tripoli and has signed, but not ratified or implemented the Libreville terms. End Note) ¶6. In response to questions from several delegations, including the United States, on the demobilization of child soldiers, SRSG Fall noted that he would seek a dual-hatted child/gender expert to work with donors to execute a demobilization program. Fall summarized the tasks for the new integrated peacebuilding office as: (1) maintaining momentum for implementation of the recommendations of the National Political Dialogue; (2) swiftly implementing DDR as a part of overall Security Sector Reform; (3) immediately beginning preparations for elections in 2009 and 2010; (4) convincing Miskine and other outstanding rebel leaders to join the peace process, perhaps through the good offices of the Secretary-General; and (5) launching the rebuilding of the country, including implementation of the Development Pole strategy for extending basic social services outside of the capital. Wolff