PRESS RELEASE : The UK encourages the Government of CAR to redouble efforts to implement benchmarks agreed by the Security Council – UK statement at the Security Council [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 July 2023.
Explanation of Vote by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the Central African Republic.
Let me begin by joining others to thank France for their leadership on this resolution and the consultations they conducted to bring us this far.
While the United Kingdom voted in favour of this text, we continue to see merit in the notification requirement as an important tool for monitoring the flow of weapons to armed groups in the CAR [Central African Republic].
We remain concerned by the worsening political, humanitarian and security situation in CAR, including atrocities committed by the Wagner Group. Advancing peace and security remain the core objectives of this Council. Progress on the peace agreement will remain an important factor in future conversations on arms controls and their role in promoting peaceful resolutions to long-term violence.
The United Kingdom maintains that notification processes do not inhibit governments from building the capabilities needed to provide security. However, we take note of the request from the Government of CAR and the calls from the region in this regard.
The United Kingdom encourages the Government of CAR to redouble its efforts to implement the benchmarks agreed by the Council related to the reform of the security sector, the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation process, and the management of weapons and ammunition. The people of CAR deserve no less.
