The situation in the Central African Republic - Security Council, 10249th meeting Security Council Date: 20 October 2026 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/sc/10249 Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- Greece · President of the Council [0:00]: The 10,249th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is the situation in the Central African Republic. The agenda is adopted. In accordance with Rule 37 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite the representative of the Central African Republic to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Valentine Rugabiza, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item 2 of the agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2026/812, the report of the Secretary-General on the Central African Republic. I now give the floor to Ms. Valentine Rugabiza. MINUSCA · SRSG; Head of MINUSCA [1:41]: Madam President of the Security Council, distinguished members of the Council, the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic to the United Nations. Madam President, I would like to congratulate Greece on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of October. I'm once more honored to present the Secretary-General latest report on the situation in the Central African Republic. At the outset, I'm pleased to share with the Council that the hostages that were held captive by the AAKG since the 28th December 2025 attack on Bamboote, including the subprefet of Bamboote, were successfully released yesterday, Monday 19 October, in an operation led and executed by MONUSCO to secure the area of release, following several months of intense mediation by local leaders and MONUSCO. Madam President, distinguished members of the Council, Since my last briefing, the country has continued to make progress in consolidating political, peace and security gains. even though the security situation in the northeast and southeast region and specific localities of the northwest remain a source of concern, mostly in border areas, around mining sites, and along transhumance corridors. Today, I will focus my briefing on three issues. First, the consolidation of political peace and security gains. and progress made towards the full implementation of the political agreement; second, the security situation, particularly in the northeast and the southeast; and third, MINUSCA's mandate renewal and the conditions required for a gradual and sustainable transition. Madam President, distinguished members of the Council, the peace accord has continued to deliver tangible results. Since July 2025, more than 1,900 combatants have been disarmed and demobilized with MINUSCA's logistical, security and technical support. It's now essential that the Government consolidate these gains with MINUSCA support to expedite the completion of the disarmament and demobilization processes, as well as the self-dissolution of armed groups. The sustainability of these efforts will require the acceleration of the socio-economic reintegration process with the coordinated support of Central African Republic partners. The 2025-2026 electoral cycle is nearing completion, with national institutions in place and elected local authorities progressively assuming their functions across the country. By the 1st of October, 127 out of 177 municipalities had completed the installation of their elected officials. This represents an important step towards decentralized governance and local administration. Although the newly elected local authorities urgently need capacity building from development partners, including the Peacebuilding Fund. This to enable them to deliver on their new mandates, since most do not have any prior experience in local administration. I encourage national authorities, particularly the government, of course, and the national electoral authority, to urgently address the financial constraints preventing the holding of the residual elections to successfully complete the 2025-26 electoral cycle. Madam President, distinguished members of the Council, Notwithstanding these positive developments, the security situation in the northeast remains a cause of serious concern. On 30 June, elements from different armed groups attacked the locality of Am Dafok, located at the border with Sudan. killing civilians and members of the national defense and security forces, displacing more than 17,000 civilians who sought refuge at the small MINUSCA temporary operating base. The attack also targeted MINUSCA's peacekeepers, injuring six of our peacekeepers. Moreover, the security situation along the CAR, Chad, and Sudan tri-border area remains tense as ongoing military operations conducted by national defense forces in response to persistent threats of imminent cross-border attacks by armed groups against several localities in Vakaga Prefecture. While the recent attacks and armed confrontations in specific areas of the northeast have not succeeded in undermining the Central African State authority, They have exposed three realities. First, that recent gains in the extension of state presence are fragile and require consolidation. Second, without MINUSCA's rapid and multifaceted responses to protect the population and local authorities in Am Dafok during the attack, to support the rapid deployment of national defense forces, and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the entire population. The attacks would have resulted in significantly more fatalities, and state authority could certainly not have been restored after only five days of control by the armed groups, who retreated across the Central African border into Sudan. Third, this attack illustrated that, while the Central African Republic is on a positive trajectory, the volatile security situation in the broader sub-region continues to pose serious threats to the stability of the Central African Republic. As these attacks occurred during the rainy season, MINUSCA aviation capability was the only means of access to Am Ndam Fok. The Force Commander and I had to make the difficult decisions to move troops and air assets from other priority locations in the North-East region to respond to the pressures in the Vakaga and enable MINUSCA to continue implement its mandate in a challenging security environment. This allowed MINUSCA to strengthen its presence and maintain a proactive and robust posture to protect civilians, and activate our contingency plan to protect humanitarian actors and United Nations personnel in the 30th region. In this regard, I plead with the Council, as it prepares to renew MINUSCA's mandate next month, to maintain MINUSCA with adequate force levels and capabilities during the coming critical consolidation phase. In the southeast, violence involving the AAKJ militia and re-emergence of attacks and abductions attributed to suspected low-resistance army continue to threaten civilians. Particularly concerning are the abductions of children by suspected LRA elements. In response, local authorities and community leaders, in collaboration with the Mission, have enhanced engagement with local communities, which contributed, I must say, to improving alert and early warning mechanisms for protection of civilians. Madam President, MINUSCA has continued to implement its reconfiguration towards a more robust and agile posture, concentrating resources in higher risk areas. while fostering greater national ownership in more stable areas. Earlier this month, the Force Commander, the Police Commissioner, and myself conducted field visits in Central African North-East Region and South-South Region to assess the initial impact of MINUSCA's reconfiguration of our operational footprint. Our preliminary assessment, very preliminary, is that peace and security gains have not reversed, and no significant security deterioration has been observed in localities where MINUSCA bases were closed. This seems to validate our planning assessment of areas of the country that are relatively stable and the effectiveness of our mitigating measures. These mitigating measures include more frequent long-range patrols in support of national armed and security forces in areas where responsibility for protection of civilians and security tasks have been handed over to our national counterparts. The sustainability of security gains depends on continued investment in national security institutions, particularly the national armed forces. As MINUSCA progressively transfers its security responsibilities, professional, effective and accountable national defence forces and security institutions will be essential to ensure that security gains are sustained. I therefore encourage the Government and the government partners to continue prioritizing the operational, logistical, and institutional capacities needed to sustain effective national defense forces throughout the country. Madam President, distinguished members of the Council, on August 10th, the Prime Minister and Head of Government, Mr. Felix Molua, and myself jointly chaired a high-level meeting on the joint transition planning, which highlighted the progress already made by MINUSCA regarding the transfer of selected tasks to national authorities, as well as the capacities required for the transfer of additional tasks. Our joint approach is clear. The transition should be nationally owned, responsible and informed by the realities on the ground to preserve the still fragile peace, security and stability gains. The next mandate period should therefore focus on consolidating progress in security and stabilization to create the necessary conditions for a gradual and responsible transition as the Central African government and MINUSCA are jointly pursuing the transition planning. Madam President, distinguished members of the Council, I wish to conclude by expressing my profound gratitude to the Council for its unwavering support to MINUSCA and myself since I assumed the responsibilities of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of MINUSCA four and a half years ago. It has really been an honor and privilege to serve the Central African Republic and to serve the Council. My profound gratitude extends to the troops and police contributing countries, as well as the civilian personnel of MINUSCA, for their dedication and resilience. There can't be effective peace operation without solid peacekeepers. I also thank the United Nations country team and the regional, bilateral and multilateral partners for their continued support to peace, security and stability in the Central African Republic. I thank you for your attention. Greece · President of the Council [15:02]: I thank Ms. Rugabiza for her briefing. I now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements. I give the floor to the representative of France. France [15:15]: Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, first of all, I would like to very warmly thank the Special Representative, Ms. Valentine Rugwabiza, thank her for her presentation on the progress and challenges encountered in the Central African Republic, and on MINUSCO's decisive contribution to building peace and security in the country. We have heard here through her presentation and in the action by MINUSCA and the Force, a demonstration that United Nations peacekeeping produce tangible results and are an effective means of action for the international community. And I would like to express to the Special Representative and to the Force Commander and to the military and civilian personnel of MINUSCA all the appreciation on behalf of France for the work they've accomplished in recent years. I also welcome the presence amongst us of the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic. Madam President, the Central African Republic is making progress. Two words: a return to peace and security. Over the past year, the simultaneous holding of presidential, legislative, regional, and local elections under good conditions marked an important step in strengthening governance and extending the authority and the action of the state throughout the country. This has been accompanied by progress in the peace process, with the continued implementation of the agreement signed in 2025, providing for the return of several armed groups to the political agreement for peace and reconciliation. Now, despite these real advances, the security situation still remains volatile, and the Special Representative underscored this in her presentation. The combined efforts of the Central African Republic and MONUSCO have made it possible to stabilize a large part of the territory. However, many pockets of insecurity remain. Armed groups continue to operate in some areas, in particular in the northeast and southeast of the country. along transhumance corridors and around mining sites. These armed groups, and we have to underscore that, are taking advantage of the instability and conflicts in neighboring states, such as Sudan, to obtain weapons and fighters and carry out attacks on Central African territory. The population, the Central African armed forces, and the peacekeepers suffered the heavy consequences of this during the attack in Am Dafok last June. Madam President, In the face of the persistence of these internal and external destabilizing factors, we must create the conditions to ensure long-term stability in the Central African Republic. And this means supporting the country in consolidating the gains made in recent years to make sure that they are irreversible. The role of MINUSCO here is essential. It must be allowed to continue to implement its most important tasks, such as the protection of civilians, the extension of state authority, maintaining humanitarian access, whilst focusing on priority areas and supporting and strengthening of the Central African Republic's constitutional and security capacities, so that they themselves can assume these responsibilities when the time comes. This consolidation phase is necessary so as to prepare for a successful transition. MINUSCO has already initiated a major reconfiguration of its footprint on the ground and a transfer of certain tasks to the Central African Republic Government, and that's the way that needs to be followed. And these efforts must continue on the basis of close cooperation with the host state. In this regard, the creation of a Central African inter-ministerial committee for this purpose is to be welcomed. It is on the basis of this kind of joint planning that it will be possible to carry out gradual transfers of responsibilities in an ordered way and which is conditional developments on the ground, focusing on pilot areas. We would like to emphasize that these transfers must not be rushed so as to not to jeopardize the gains made in recent years. But they have to continue in a resolute and determined way. Madam President, the work that France will carry out in the coming weeks with all of the members of this Council and in conjunction with the Central African government, Central African Republic government, to renew MINUSCA's mandate will be driven by this objective, consolidating the foundations of lasting and prosperous stability for the Central Africans. I thank you. Greece · President of the Council [19:54]: The representative of France for the statement. I now give the floor the representative of Latvia. Latvia [20:01]: Thank you, Madam President. I thank SSG Valentin Rubabiza for her comprehensive briefing today and for her efforts and service during the four and a half years of her mandate. And we pay tribute to the uniformed and civilian staff of MINUSCA and the peacekeepers that have been harmed in the line of duty. And I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic in this meeting. Many positive assessments have been shared this year about the progress achieved in the Central African Republic. The progress is commendable. Yet, as the latest Secretary-General's report reveals, it is also fragile. Madam President, I will make three points. First, while consolidation of national and local institutions after the historic 2025-2026 elections is very encouraging, we regret that the residual legislative, regional, and local elections have been further postponed. We urge the current authorities to find a timely solution so that all voters can express their will and the electoral process can be completed. It remains critical that the newly installed authorities are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the population and that civic space is also safeguarded. Delivering on security, basic services, justice, and rule of law throughout the country is crucial in the context of the extension of state authority and building social cohesion. Second, The 30 June attack on Am Dafak and the activity of armed actors in the CAR, Chad, Sudan tri-border area clearly demonstrate that the security situation in the northeast of the country remains volatile. We condemn attacks against civilians, CAR defence forces and MINUSCA peacekeepers. The spillover of the conflict in Sudan, violence and continued activity of armed groups and elements in the southeast around transhumance corridors and mining sites and persistent human rights violations, all these concerns require attention. It is of utmost importance to sustain progress in the implementation of the peace process under the nationally led DDR process, as well as support local mediation efforts to address any community tensions. We also encourage the CAR government to strengthen ownership of its security by developing its national capabilities and security sector reform. Reliance on security partners prone to exploitation and a track record for human rights abuses can be detrimental. Third, we appreciate the information the Secretary-General has provided on the planning of the transition of MINUSCA tasks to CAR government. We welcome the update on MINUSCA's reconfiguration and the initial progress in handover of selected tasks. We share the view that peacekeeping operations are not meant to stay indefinitely. However, considering the outstanding security, humanitarian, and protection concerns, we also believe in treating transition as a conditions-based process guided by a careful assessment of the situation on the ground. Madam President, the real peace and security gains in the Central African Republic need to be preserved and multiplied. so its people can enjoy the partaking in building a peaceful and prosperous future. And we believe that in current circumstances, MINUSCA must continue accompanying the Government of the Central African Republic and people on this journey. Thank you. Greece · President of the Council [23:42]: I thank the representative of Latvia for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Panama. Panama [23:51]: Thank you, Madam President. thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Valentin Rugubiza, for her briefing, as well as the personnel, the staff of MINUSCA, whose dedication deserves our recognition and support. I also welcome the presence of the Central African Republic representative at this meeting. There is a particular responsibility in supporting a peace process when it begins to show results. you have to know how much still remains to be done. Those who continue to be exposed to violence need us to acknowledge progress without considering their situation resolved. With that sense of responsibility, Panama is participating at this meeting today. The Secretary-General's report highlights progress that we must recognize. The establishment of elected local authorities and the ongoing disarmament efforts create opportunities to bring institutions closer to communities. The task now is to transform that progress into services, justice and trust through inclusive political dialogue and the full, equal and meaningful participation of women. However, the worsening security situation in the northeast and southeast of the country requires us to act responsibly. The attack of 30 June in Amdafo, which caused deaths, displacement, and injuries to peacekeepers, demonstrates the fragility of these gains. The cross-border movement of armed groups and the repercussions of the war in Sudan require greater regional cooperation. We condemn attacks against civilians and United Nations personnel. We call for the immediate and we welcome yesterday the release of the hostages who were being held by the AAKG group, as we've just been informed by the Special Representative. This is an encouraging step forward that we hope will contribute to strengthening trust and peace efforts in the country. We also call for the immediate and unconditional release of all that may have been kidnapped, particularly girls and boys. Any security response must respect international humanitarian law and human rights. Victims of sexual violence need protection. They need assistance and justice. Those responsible must be held accountable, regardless of their affiliation. With approximately 2 million people facing acute food insecurity, it is urgent to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access, as well as timely funding. For a family that does not know whether it will be able to eat tomorrow, peace must be translated into concrete responses today. Since July 2025, more than 1,900 combatants have been disarmed and demobilized. Every weapon surrendered opens up a possibility. Sustaining that opportunity requires training, livelihoods, and continued support. Reintegration must also benefit the communities that receive those who lay down their arms. To ask those communities to rebuild social cohesion without supporting them would be to leave our work unfinished. Panama reaffirms its respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Central African Republic. Strengthening its institutions is essential so that they may progressively assume the responsibilities that are theirs. This transition must be agreed upon with the national authorities based on verifiable conditions on the ground and avoid creating protection gaps. Budgetary constraints cannot replace an assessment of security needs. Therefore, we support the Secretary-General's recommendation to renew MONUSCO's mandate for one year, preserve its multidimensional character, and ensure the mobility and rapid response capabilities that are necessary to protect the population. Madam President, trust is built when the state reaches people, listens and remains present, when a victim finds justice and a community can decide its future free from intimidation. The people of the Central African Republic have sustained the hope of living in peace for far too long. It is the responsibility of this Council to support that hope through coherent decisions, adequate resources, and a commitment that endures beyond the end of this meeting. Thank you very much. Greece · President of the Council [28:57]: I thank the representative of Panama for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Bahrain. Bahrain [29:05]: Thank you, President. We thank Ms. Valentine Rugwabiza, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic and head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA, for her valuable briefing. And we welcome the participation of the representative of the Central African Republic in today's meeting. President, in light of what we have heard today, we would like to reaffirm the following three main messages to enhance progress made and address current challenges in the Central African Republic. First, the Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes the outcomes of the meeting of the Strategic Committee on Disarmament demobilization and reintegration, and security sector reform for what was agreed upon in terms of steps and timelines for implementation. We also encourage further close cooperation between the Government of the Central African Republic and MINUSCA to enhance the implementation of the 2019 Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation and the 2025 N'Djamena Agreements and to strengthen long-term stability. Second, the Kingdom of Bahrain expresses its grave concern regarding the deteriorating security situation in some northeast and southeast regions in the Central African Republic, given that the increase in the activities of armed groups and cross-border movements could threaten the security gains achieved. This reaffirms the importance of the role carried out by MINUSCA to support security, stability and the protection of civilians. In this regard, the Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes efforts to strengthen the capacities of MINUSCA to implement its mandate. We value cooperation between MINUSCA and the Government of the Central African Republic, including the establishment of joint transitional structures, such as the Interministerial Committee and the Technical Committee. We also express our appreciation to troop-contributing countries, and we encourage further efforts to guarantee the transfer of responsibilities in a gradual, orderly and sustainable manner, pursuant to the objective assessment of national capacities and clear performance indicators, to maintain the capacities of MINUSCA to respond rapidly and to prevent any security or institutional vacuum. The Kingdom of Bahrain condemns the attack that targeted the temporary operating base of MINUSCA in Am Dafak. We reaffirm that the security and safety of peacekeepers are non-negotiable. The Kingdom of Bahrain also reaffirms the need to respect international humanitarian law. President. The Kingdom of Bahrain expresses its concern regarding the escalation in regional tensions and their repercussions on the border security and the protection of civilians. We reaffirm the need for further regional cooperation and coordination to combat armed groups and reduce their activities, and to address cross-border factors that undermine security. and to support communities hosting refugees and IDPs to strengthen their resilience. In conclusion, the Kingdom of Bahrain renews its full support to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Central African Republic as main pillars to achieve regional stability and sustainable peace. I thank you, Madam President. Greece · President of the Council [33:32]: I thank the representative of Bahrain for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark. Denmark [33:38]: Thank you, Madam President. And I thank SRS G Rugabiza for her briefing. And I welcome the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic to today's meeting. Allow me to make three points. First, the Central African Republic continues to make important political progress. The electoral process has passed smoothly. with MINUSCA's support playing a crucial role as a clear demonstration of the tangible value of UN peacekeeping. Promises must now be turned into results for the people of the Central African Republic. For the new government, acting on this new mandate is critical. This means staying committed to the 2019 peace agreement, maintaining the momentum of the DDR program, and extending state authority and capacity across the whole country. The Government also faces unforeseen challenges, such as economic pressures as a consequence of the conflict in the Gulf, which has pushed up fuel prices, putting real strain on fuel subsidies. Second, security remains fragile. As we heard from the SRC, in the northeast, the tri-border area with Chad and Sudan is under growing pressure. The complex attack on Am Dafok on 30 June was deeply alarming, and so thousands displaced. The war in Sudan has already spilled into the Central African Republic, with grave consequences for civilians on each side of the border. Reports of a continued armed build-up in Vakaga, and of arms moving through the country and fuelling the neighboring war, only deepens this concern. In the southeast, attacks on the civilians attributed to the Lord's Resistance Army and the AAKG have also increased. Such attacks demonstrate the continued need for MINUSCA's presence and the enduring importance of its protection of civilians mandate. MINUSCA's presence also supports UN agencies and humanitarian partners in reaching people across the country. Third, Madam President, we welcome the Secretary-General's reports and support his recommendations, including renewing MINUSCA's mandate for a further year. We also support the return of MINUSCA's military personnel, which could restore the Quick Reaction Forces to their original strength, increasing both aviation capacity and military staff officers. The security threats that the SRSG has described make this recalibration essential. Now is the time to safeguard what has been achieved. As the Mission consolidates hard-won gains and handover responsibilities, It must keep the ability to respond quickly where civilians are at risk. Any transition must be gradual and responsible. Madam President, in closing, allow me to thank MINUSCA civilian, police, and military personnel for their dedication, often at great personal risk, in helping to secure peace and stability alongside the national authorities. For Denmark, the consensus of the Council, as demonstrated on this file, has been instrumental to the success of the mission. It has given MINUSCA a clear mandate and steady support. Council agreement is critical to effective mandate implementation and ultimately to the maintenance of international peace and security, and MINUSCA is one of the clearest examples of what it can achieve. Finally, Denmark would like to commend and thank SRS G Rukwa Biza for her exemplary leadership and dedication over the past four and a half years as head of MINUSCA. Your leadership has been crucial for the progress we're all celebrating today. We wish you all the best and of luck in your further endeavors. I thank you. Greece · President of the Council [37:30]: I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the United States. United States of America [37:37]: Thank you, Madam President. And to SRSG Rugwabiza, I want to also echo what our colleague from Denmark just said. I want to thank you for your consequential and effective leadership and your dedicated service to this mission and to the people of the Central African Republic. I personally have learned a great deal from your leadership over the past year. And as the permanent representative of Denmark said, wish you all of the best. Warm welcome to the force commander, Humphrey, And to Richard and to Mohamed and the rest of the team back in Bangui, I'm sure watching, welcome as well. And finally, welcome to our colleague from the Central African Republic. The Central African Republic, with MINUSCA's support, continues to make progress towards durable peace and security. The strengthening of national and local institutions is a step toward the restoration of state authority. Implementation of the peace process continues to generate peace and security gains. With this progress, we welcome the steps MINUSCA is taking towards transition. Already, MINUSCA has transferred security and corrections tasks to national authorities. After successful completion of the electoral cycle, the mission transferred electoral tasks to other entities. MINUSCA is not doing this work alone. The Central African government and MINUSCA established a joint committee to assess and plan how to transition tasks. MINUSCA and the UN country team are also discussing how they will transfer responsibilities moving forward. The mission is consolidating and maintaining security gains while always looking to hand over tasks when there is sufficient national capacity. We are encouraged by the progress MINUSCA is making toward this goal. We recognize that there are and will be challenges during this transition. While the security has improved significantly in Central African Republic, the gains are fragile, especially in border areas. The June 30th attack in the northeast exemplifies this risk. During the attack, Zambian peacekeepers, General, many of whom I met just eight months ago, Zambian peacekeepers proactively responded to threats, and altogether, MINUSCA protected over 17,000 civilians. This is the kind of performance we should see from all peacekeeping missions. We appreciate these efforts to protect civilians from such attacks. We thank MINUSCA's peacekeepers for their continued sacrifice. And, General, please pass that along when you see those brave women and men next. Despite these challenges, we are encouraged by the political will of the Central African government to work towards a transition. But long-term peace will depend on commitment to peace processes and dedicated investment from the Central African authorities. As part of this process, the Central African government must take the lead on security sector reform. We call on CAR authorities to take charge and accelerate this process. We encourage the Central African government and MINUSCA to continue working together to develop and enact timely transition plans. As a Council, we frequently receive reports about the risks of a hasty transition and drawdown of MINUSCA. But there is also a risk on the other side, the risk of a static mission becoming the status quo instead of a temporary measure to restore peace and security. The Council should encourage continued efforts for an efficient transition of MINUSCA's tasks. I thank Greece · President of the Council [41:18]: the representative of the United States for the statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Democratic Republic of the Congo · A3 [41:26]: Madame President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3, namely Liberia, Somalia, and my own country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Valentin Rugubisa, for her briefing, and we take note of the Secretary-General's report in document S/2020/6812. As this is your final briefing to the Council as the head of MONUSCO, we would like to express our appreciation to you for your service. We also would like to warmly welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic in today's meeting. The A3 pay tribute to the women and men of MINUSCA for their continued dedication and the sacrifices they make in support of peace and stability in the Central African Republic. We also express our deep sympathies to the peacekeepers who were injured in the line of duty. Madam President, on the political and institutional front, the Central African Republic continues to consolidate important advances. Important political and institutional achievements, a very important one. Following the installation of the National Assembly and the swearing in of members of Parliament, we welcome the adoption of the government's general policy statement, which prioritizes peace, governance, in the development of resilient infrastructure and to social protection and the progressive installation of 133 municipal councils across the country. These advances in governance and institutional consolidation in building. Despite this, we are appalled to learn that, due to a lack of financial resources, the national electoral authorities can no longer proceed with the planned residual legislative, regional, and local elections. We welcome progress. The A3 welcomes progress in the implementation of the 2009 Political Agreement and the 2025 Jemina Agreement, including the disarmament and demobilization of 1,907 combatants. The absence of disarmament cannot guarantee lasting peace without credible and adequately funded reintegration programs. We therefore urge international partners to strengthen their support to the reintegration of former combatants into communities, to vocational training, and to demining operations. We also would like to underscore the essential role of regional partners in supporting peacebuilding and stabilization efforts. And we affirm that the agreement of regional partners is essential to preserving the gains achieved and confronting common challenges. Madam President. Some parts of the country remain relatively calm, but the security situation in the northeast and southeast has deteriorated and demands urgent and focused attention. We strongly condemn the 30 June attack on Amdafo, which claimed the lives of civilians and security personnel. caused mass displacement of people and targeted peacekeepers. We also condemn attacks and continued abductions of civilians, particularly children, by the Lord's Resistance Army and the Azande Anii Kpibge militia in Otmobomu, Mbomu, and Otokoto prefectures. The conflicts in neighboring countries continue having these spillover effects on the already fragile stability in the Central African Republic. The influx of refugees, which places a heavy burden on host communities and already strained national capacities, is one of the most concerning manifestations of this. This situation underscores the need to strengthen border security, information sharing, and support for national defense forces in order to better protect civilians and to secure vulnerable areas. And to this end, the A3 commend regional stabilization mechanisms, including the Chad-Central African Republic Joint Border Force, the sub-regional engagement by the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa, CEMAC, and the Economic Community of Central African States, ECAS, as well as the 1st September meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on support for the transition. Alongside this, we also welcome the efforts made by the State Authority, together with MONUSCO and the United Nations Development Programme, to extend State Authority and to strengthen access to justice. We welcome the deployment of judicial personnel, the conducting of mobile court hearings, the opening of first sessions of the Bouar military court, and the ongoing proceedings before the Special Criminal Court. Combating impunity, addressing conflict-related sexual violence, and preventing grave violations against children are fundamental imperatives for preventing a resurgence of conflict. Madam President, In light of the transition, the reconfiguration of MINUSCO must be gradual, conditions on the ground based, and in close coordination with the national authorities. The A3 take note of the Secretary-General's recommendation to extend the mission's mandate for one year and to preserve the robust rapid response capabilities. We remain concerned by the missions liquidity constraints as well as by the fact that there are still outstanding assessed contributions. We therefore urge all Member States to meet their financial obligations in full and on time. Any transfer of responsibilities must take into account conditions on the ground, national capacities, and the requirements of the mission's mandate to protect civilians without compromising its operational effectiveness. We fully support the integrated security and security sector reform plan, which recognizes MINUSCA's role in regional stabilization. The A3 also remain concerned by the scale of humanitarian needs, including food insecurity, displacement and restricted access. We call for predictable humanitarian funding and for guaranteed, safe, rapid and unhindered access to affected populations. In conclusion, The A3 reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the Central African Republic. We urge the international community, the African Union, and regional partners to maintain resolute, coherent, and closely coordinated partnerships with the government of the Central African Republic so that the hard-won political, institutional, and security gains may translate into lasting peace and shared prosperity for all Central Africans. I thank you, ma'am. Greece · President of the Council [50:05]: I thank the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their statement. To the representative of Colombia. Colombia [50:14]: Thank you, Madam President. We thank the Special Representative, Valentine Rugwabiza, for her briefing. And also, we recognize the leadership of other delegations involved in MONUSCO that took the floor before us. What we are really seeing is progress of the work of the Central African people. And we would like to congratulate and welcome the Central African Republic with us this morning. For my delegation, the risk remains concerning the pockets of insecurity persisting in the east of the country. This could spill over into a regional conflict and could be added to other already troubling situations. In the northeast, the war in Sudan has brought fighters and weapons into Vakaga. And in the tri-border area with Chad, the mobilization of armed groups continues. In the southeast, tensions linked to South Sudan are fueling intercommunal violence. Colombia calls on all parties to respect the principles of the UN Charter: the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, refraining from the threat or use of force, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Colombia also encourages the Central African Republic and Chad to preserve their border cooperation. My country condemns the recent attacks by illegal armed groups. including the attack carried out against Am Dafok, which left 29 people dead, and the kidnappings committed in the southeast by the LRA and the AAKG militia, which affected 68 people, 40 of them children. We also condemn the actions of these groups against displaced populations. These attacks may constitute war crimes, and those responsible must be held accountable. This violence is striking areas that were already fragile. To the country's 416,000 internally displaced persons, we have to add 17,500 more in Am Dafok, in a prefecture that is already hosting a large share of the more than 38,000 Sudanese refugees when resources are scarce. When farmers can't work their land, hunger grows. 2 million people are suffering from acute food insecurity. We call on all armed actors, national and foreigners alike, to respect international humanitarian law and to allow full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. For Colombia, there can be no peace without security. The disarmament achieved through the political agreement and the NGA agreements can only be sustained if the signatories complete it within the agreed timeframe, without renegotiating conditions, and if reintegration offers real alternatives to those laying down their arms. Madam President, we take note of the Secretary-General's recommendations. We read them from the point of view of our conviction that we need a United Nations that is efficient, effective and results-oriented, guided by the need not to lose the gains already achieved and to maintain the country's stability. The transition must be based on the actual capacity of the Central African State to exercise its authority, and it is for its government to lead that transition. The protection of civilians must remain MONUSCO's primary responsibility, while promoting the rapid development of national capacities and avoiding duplication with other international and regional efforts, as well as with the United Nations country team. Thank you very much. Greece · President of the Council [53:49]: The representative of Colombia for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan. Pakistan [53:55]: Thank you very much, Madam President. I thank Special Representative Valentin Rugwabitsa for her briefing. We commend the SRSG's dedicated service and wish her all the very best as she leaves after a job well done. Pakistan welcomes the significant progress achieved in the Central African Republic, particularly the successful conduct of elections, the consolidation of national and local institutions, and continued implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement and the 2025 N'Djamena Agreements. The disarmament and demobilization of over 1,900 combatants since July 2025 is encouraging. We emphasize the importance of consolidating these gains and preventing a relapse into violence. At the same time, we remain concerned by the deteriorating security situation in the northeast and southeast, particularly in Vakaga and Oud-Mbomou. The attack on Amdafok and the spillover effects of the conflict in Sudan underscore the persistent threat posed by armed groups and cross-border insecurity. Madam President, MINUSCA has played an indispensable role in the political and security progress achieved in the Central African Republic. Its continued presence remains essential to preserving these hard-won gains. We strongly support the Secretary-General's recommendation that the renewed mandate of MINUSCA maintain its priority tasks and multidimensional nature, while strengthening national capacities and advancing transition planning with the Central African authorities. The mission's political, security and peacebuilding functions remain mutually reinforcing and essential to sustainable peace. We also support the Secretary-General's recommendations to restore critical military capabilities, particularly the strength of quick reaction units, additional aviation capabilities, and military staff officers. These capabilities are essential to maintaining the mission's mobility, operational effectiveness, and ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats. Any further reconfiguration or transfer of responsibilities should remain gradual, conditions-based, and guided by the priorities of the host government. We must avoid creating security vacuums or reversing the progress achieved over the years. As a major troop contributing country to MINUSCA, with around 1,100 troops, Pakistan remains firmly committed to the mission's success. We pay tribute to all mission personnel who are performing their duties in a difficult environment. We reaffirm our steadfast support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Central African Republic and the aspirations of its people for lasting peace and stability. I thank you very much. Greece · President of the Council [56:48]: I thank the representative of Pakistan for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation. Russian Federation [56:57]: Madam President. We thank the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Valentin Rugwabisa, for the briefing, and we thank you for your work. We welcome the participation in the meeting of the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic. The consistent efforts made by the Government of the CAR to stabilize the country, with the support of Russia and other international partners, are yielding results which are obvious to all. Over the years, the situation has undergone a qualitative change. The activity of illegal armed groups has been substantially curtailed. The number of notable security incidents has been reduced to a minimum. And the statistics of human rights violations and international humanitarian law continue to show a downward trend. The practical steps taken by Bangui to strengthen the peace process also deserve high praise. The implementation of the agreements reached in 2025 through Chadian mediation with the most combat-capable illegal armed groups is proceeding steadily. The number of fighters who have undergone disarmament and demobilization is nearing 2,000. We welcome the efforts made by CAR and Chad to combat banditry in border areas, and we support the further strengthening of regional cooperation on the joint protection of state borders and the elimination of illegal armed groups operating along them. To understand the importance of effectively ensuring border security for the countries of the region, it is enough to just take a look at the map of the Central African Republic and see in which areas of the country armed groups are currently most active. The severity of cross-border threats requires continued support for Bangui's efforts to ensure security and to strengthen national capacities to prevent the movement of fighters and the supply of weapons to them. And this is particularly relevant in addressing threats emanating from the Sudanese direction. We hope. that there will be a substantive contribution to identifying channels of supply and foreign support for illegal armed groups in the CAR will be made by the Panel of Experts of Security Council Committee 2745. An important stabilizing role in the CAR is continued to be played by the UN peacekeeping mission. At the current stage of consolidating security gains, MINUSCA bears particular responsibility. The Mission should gradually and in an orderly fashion transfer to the country's authorities the full range of tasks related to the protection of civilians and control over the territory of the country. This process should be coordinated in every detail with Bangui and realistically take into account the situation on the ground. Artificially accelerating changes to the configuration of the Mission could prove counterproductive. We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his proposals regarding the organization of this process. The peacekeepers are already effectively working on adapting their activities to current needs, and they are doing so while carrying out their mandate and despite resource and staffing optimization measures that have had to be introduced. We support the leadership of MINUSCA, and we thank the military personnel of troop-contributing countries. And we call on all states, including members of this Council, to pay their assessed contributions to the UN peacekeeping budget in a timely manner and in full. We call for continued support for the Central African Republic from the international community. It is critically now, critically important to do everything necessary to ensure that the success story of joint efforts to combat instability in the CAR becomes a reality for many years to come. A careful and balanced approach is essential, one that does not call into question all of the achievements won at the cost of the lives of many inhabitants of this country. And Russia will continue to make every effort towards this end, both on a bilateral basis and within this Council. I thank you for your attention. Greece · President of the Council [1:01:24]: I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [1:01:33]: Thank you, Madam President. And I thank SRS G. Rugwabita for her informative briefing today. I will make three points on supporting lasting stability in the Central African Republic. First, the United Kingdom welcomes the continued consolidation of peace and security gains and stresses the importance of protecting them. The development of national and local institutions following elections, alongside progress in implementing the political agreement for peace and reconciliation, are encouraging steps. We also welcome continued progress on the disarmament and demobilisation of combatants. However, Growing conflict and insecurity in parts of the region poses risks, and it is important to ensure that hard-won gains are not rolled back. We urge further steps to address persistent insecurity in the border areas. Recent escalations, including in the CAR, Chad, and Sudan tri-border area, underscore the impact of regional instability, including spillover from the conflict in Sudan. With more than 416,000 people internally displaced and around 2 million facing food insecurity, it is critical to ensure that humanitarian access is granted. Second, sustained security sector reform remains crucial. Long-term stability will rest on the Central African Republic security institution assuming greater responsibility for national security. These institutions need to be accountable and inclusive. Continued efforts on disarmament and demobilization are important, especially supporting reintegration opportunities for former combatants to prevent return to armed groups. We encourage the Government of the Central African Republic to sustain momentum on reforms with support from international partners and MINUSCA. And third. We welcome the significant work undertaken by MONUSCO in coordination with the Government of the Central African Republic to reconfigure the mission and establish a clear pathway for its transition. We commend the SRSG for all of her leadership and thank her for all of her work over the last three years. As this Council considers MONUSCO's mandate in the coming weeks, it will be important that any transition is gradual, carefully sequenced, and guided by the realities on the ground. This will be essential to protect stability in the Central African Republic and to support the protection of civilians. Thank you. Greece · President of the Council [1:04:12]: I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of China. China [1:04:23]: President, I thank SRS G Rugwa Biza for the briefing and welcome permanent representative of the Central African Republic to today's meeting. I commend SRS G Rugwa Biza for the tremendous amount of work she has done and her important contributions over the past four years. and wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Since the beginning of this year, the CAR has seen continued advancement of political process and a positive progress in peacebuilding. However, it still faces some challenges in maintaining security, strengthening governance, and promoting development. The international community should support the government and people in seizing the opportunities for peace, accelerating the political process, and opening up new prospects for development. I will make three points. First, ensure the smooth completion of the electoral process and lay a solid foundation for political stability. The CAR has made a tremendous progress in advancing elections at all levels of government. Moving forward, it should draw on experience, build confidence, enhance coordination, and effectively organize the residual legislative, regional, and local elections, and make necessary security arrangements to ensure their smooth and orderly completion. The international community should provide constructive financial, technical, and logistical assistance. We encourage the government to continue promoting inclusive political participation, facilitate dialogue and consultations among parties, properly resolve differences, and consolidate a peaceful and stable political environment. We support the government in accelerating efforts to restore and expand the grassroots administrative governance and service capacity, enhance public trust in state institutions, and continuously strengthen the authority of state governance. Second, enhance national security capacities and consolidate peace and reconciliation gains. The country is facing rising security challenges in the northeast and southeast, with the regional conflict spillover and the cross-border armed activities posing serious threats to border security. China supports the government in continuing the implementation of the political agreement for peace and reconciliation, accelerating DDR process, and maintaining close communication and coordination with neighboring countries to jointly safeguard stability in border areas. The international community should support the country in strengthening its national security capacity building, optimizing deployments, and addressing weaknesses, particularly by enhancing capabilities in border control, rapid response, and logistical support to better withstand the impact of external destabilizing factors. Third, actively promote economic and social development and eradicate the breeding ground for conflict. Underdevelopment remains a major constraint on lasting peace in CAR. The international community should increase its support for the country's development, help it better utilize its natural resources, accelerate industrial and agricultural development and infrastructure construction, improve public services such as employment, education, and health care, enhance economic vitality and resilience, ensure people's livelihoods and well-being, and eliminate the risks of conflict at their source. President, MINUSCA has played a vital role in supporting the political process, maintaining security and stability, and extending state authority in CAR, which China commends. China supports renewing its mandate for one year. At present, the country has entered a new phase of consolidating peace gains and enhancing its national capacity. We encourage the government with the support of international partners to strengthen capacity building and prepare for the progressive transfer of responsibilities from MINUSCA. The recalibration and transition of MINUSCA should be gradual, operation-driven, and results-oriented, with the transfer of responsibilities aligned with and reinforcing the capacities to assume them. China firmly supports the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Central African Republic, and supports its government and people in pursuing a development path suited to their national conditions. We stand ready to continue deepening cooperation with the country within frameworks such as Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to help it achieve lasting peace, development, and prosperity. Thank you, President. Greece · President of the Council; Representative [1:08:53]: I thank the representative of China for the statement. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Greece. I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Valentina Rugabisa, for her insightful briefing, and I welcome the representative of the Central African Republic in this meeting. We commend you, Ms. Rugabisa, for your leadership and your commitment, as well as the dedication of MINUSCA's military and civilian personnel. We also thank troop and police contributing countries for their steadfast commitment. Colleagues, Over the nearly two years that Greece has had the privilege of serving on this Council, we have witnessed the significant progress the Central African Republic has made towards peace and internal stability. progress in implementing the 2019 political agreement, including through continued disarmament and demobilization, the extension of state authority into areas where an effective state presence had long been absent or only recently established, and MINUSMA's contribution to improving daily life and protecting civilians are among the significant achievements that deserve recognition. Institutional consolidation is also advancing following the historic completion achieved in the recent electoral cycle and encouraged the peaceful, inclusive, and transparent conduct of the remaining electoral processes. These achievements reflect the determination of the Central African people and the sustained efforts of the national authorities, supported by the United Nations. The message from today's meeting ought to be clear and unequivocal. Now is the time to consolidate the gains achieved through peacekeeping and make them irreversible. Yet, these gains remain fragile. The increasingly complex regional security environment casts a long shadow over the progress achieved. The deterioration of security in the northeast, particularly in Vakanga and the CAR, Chad, Sudan tri-border area, underscores the continuing threat posed by cross-border movements and the spillover of regional conflicts. We are equally concerned by violence and abductions in the southeast, including by elements of the AAKG and the LRA. We commend MINUSCA for the release of hostages, including the sub-prefect in the southeast region of Babuti, that were held captive since 28th of December. The release follows several months of intense mediation by local leaders and MINUSCA. Yet another example of what the Mission accomplishes in the country. These developments reinforce the need for vigilance, regional cooperation, and a Mission equipped to respond effectively to emerging threats. Further progress in the Central African Republic would also have positive repercussions across the region. demonstrating that sustained international engagement and national ownership can help break cycles of conflict and instability. At the same time, We remain concerned about the human rights situation. Protecting civilians must remain paramount, with particular attention to children, who continue to face grave violations, including recruitment and use by armed groups, and to women and girls, who remain disproportionately affected by conflict-related sexual violence. Preventing such violations and ensuring accountability must remain integral to efforts to secure lasting peace. All security responses must comply with international human rights law and international humanitarian law, with perpetrators of violations held accountable. As we approach the renewal of MINUSCA's mandate, the transition of responsibilities to national authorities must be gradual, methodical, and firmly grounded in the realities on the ground. It must proceed in parallel with the development of strong, effective, and accountable national institutions capable of sustaining security, delivering public services, and consolidating a new chapter for the country. Premature reductions in the mission's capabilities risk undermining the very achievement we seek to preserve. MINUSCA has demonstrated that United Nations peacekeeping can deliver tangible results. Our responsibility is to ensure that its transition builds on and preserves those results. The credibility of peacekeeping depends on our ability to match our ambitions with the means and commitment required to fulfill them. Colleagues, in closing, what is needed now is patience, strategic foresight, and sustained resolve. Consolidating peace takes time. We must allow the achievements of the Central African Republic to take root. This is how we honor the United Nations' founding principles and uphold the organization's core mission by turning the promise of peace into a lasting reality. I thank you. I resume my function as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of the Central African Republic. Central African Republic [1:15:01]: Madam President, Thank you for giving me the floor. Allow me, first of all, to congratulate you on your presidency of the Security Council for the month of October. I thank you and the other members of the Council for convening this meeting devoted to the situation in the Central African Republic at a particularly important time for peace consolidation and the future of the mandate of MONUSCO. My delegation also thanks Madame Valentine Rugwabiza for her briefing, as well as all civilian and uniformed MONUSCO personnel for their commitment alongside the people of the Central African Republic. Throughout her tenure, Madame Rugwa-Abiza has demonstrated remarkable leadership, great determination, and a deep commitment to peace and stability in our country. She has maintained frank and constructive dialogue with the Central African authorities, including during the most difficult moments, while supporting national efforts towards reconciliation, the restoration of state authority, and peacebuilding. The Central African Republic wishes to express to her its profound gratitude for her personal commitment, her ability to listen, and her contribution to the progress achieved in recent years. Beyond her responsibilities as head of MINUSCA, Madame Rugwabiza has been a sincere and dedicated partner of the Central African people. Thank you very much. Madam President, The Central African Republic has made significant progress in recent years. Under the leadership of His Excellency Professor Faustin-Archange Touadera, President of the Republic and Head of State, the Government is continuing its efforts to restore State authority, strengthen republican institutions and advance the peace process. This progress is the result of the efforts taken made by the national authorities, the resilience of our population, and the support of our international partners. However, we have to acknowledge that these achievements remain fragile and that their consolidation will require sustained efforts. The Central African Republic is now entering a phase in which the challenge is no longer solely to restore security, but also to strengthen national capacities so that the progress achieved can be maintained on a lasting basis. Yet this new phase is unfolding in a particularly difficult economic and budgetary context. Madam President, the Central African Republic continues to face structural constraints that weigh heavily on its development. According to World Bank data, approximately 67% of our population still lives in extreme poverty. a proportion that rises to 78% in rural areas. More concerning still, real GDP per capita remains about one quarter below its 2012 level. These figures demonstrate that the economic consequences of successive crises continue to weigh heavily on our population and on the capacity of the state. These constraints limit business development, hinder investment, and reduce opportunities for job creation. They also affect our ability to mobilize the tax resources that we need to finance national development. Last July, the World Bank published a public finance review highlighting the difficulties faced by the government. According to that study, domestic revenues remain below 10% of gross domestic product, while the wage bill can absorb up to 73% of public resources, depending on the budgetary parameters used. These figures illustrate just how little fiscal manoeuvre we have. The government must nonetheless finance the defence and security forces, ensure the functioning of public administrations, support the judicial system, rehabilitate infrastructure, and meet the essential needs of the population. Madam President, We are pursuing the reforms necessary to improve domestic resource mobilization, modernize the tax administration, and strengthen public financial management. However, these reforms, as indispensable as they are, cannot immediately generate the financial means required for the country's reconstruction. An economy whose productive base remains limited cannot suddenly generate the public revenues needed to finance all its requirements. This is why external financing remains essential at this stage of our development. Such financing must help support investment in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education and health services in line with the priorities of our 2024-2028 National Development Plan. Our goal is not to prolong our dependence on international assistance, but to create the conditions that will gradually allow us to reduce it. For, in order to sustainably increase public revenues, we must first strengthen the productive capacity of our economy. Madam President, these economic constraints take on a particular dimension in light of the security situation in our border regions. Although security has improved in several parts of the country, recent events in the north-east and south-east remind us that significant threats remain. The situation in Vakaga Prefecture, particularly around Am Dafok, and in the border area between the Central African Republic, Chad and Sudan remains especially concerning. The repercussions of the conflict in Sudan are being felt directly on our territory through cross-border movements of armed elements, the circulation of weapons and through population displacement. The attack of 30 June against Am Dafok underscored the seriousness of these problems. The Central African Republic firmly condemns this violence and pays tribute to the members of the national and international forces, as well as the civilians who were injured or who lost their lives. We commend the efforts of the national defence and security forces. bilateral forces as well as the cooperation with MONUSCO in restoring security and strengthening the protection of civilians. In the south-east, the activities of armed groups, particularly in the prefectures of Boma and Omboumou, continue to threaten civilians and complicate the durable restoration of State authority. These developments show that the security of the Central African Republic remains closely linked to the regional situation. The Government continues its efforts to cooperate with neighboring countries, particularly Chad, in order to strengthen border security. However, the size of the territory, difficulties of access and limited logistical resources make these operations particularly demanding. It is therefore essential to consolidate the security gains achieved and continue strengthening national capacities, particularly in the areas of mobility, intelligence, logistics, border, surveillance and rapid response. Madam President, it is precisely in this context that the gradual transition of MINUSCA must be considered. The Central African Republic remains fully committed to the principle of national ownership of its responsibilities in the area of security and the protection of civilians. We recognize that a peacekeeping operation is not intended to continue indefinitely. However, it is important to recognize that the transfer of responsibilities also represents a significant financial cost for the Government. Each function transferred to national authorities requires additional resources for personnel, equipment, infrastructure, operations, and long-term maintenance. Yet this transition is taking place while my country faces considerable budgetary constraints and growing development needs. We must avoid a situation in which an overly rapid transfer of responsibilities places additional pressure on national institutions that do not yet possess all the means required to assume these responsibilities sustainably. The consolidation of gains must therefore precede and accompany every stage of the transition. In this regard, the Central African Republic shares the Secretary-General's recommendations concerning the renewal of MONUSCO's mandate for an additional year, the maintenance of its priority tasks and its multidimensional character. We also support the need to preserve and strengthen a more mobile and responsive posture for the Mission, with sufficient capacities for rapid deployment and intervention in areas where threats persist, particularly in the north-east and south-east of the country. Such adaptation appears essential to us in order to respond to evolving security risks, while continuing the transition alongside national authorities. We also consider it indispensable that this process remain consultative, gradual, and based on realities on the ground, rather than solely based on financial considerations. The liquidity crisis currently affecting the United Nations naturally calls for rationalization efforts. However, the savings sought must not result in a reduction of capacities that are essential for the protection of civilians and the preservation of peace achievements. The progress made in recent years has required considerable investment. A worsening of the security situation could entail human and financial costs far exceeding any short-term savings achieved. Madam President, to accompany this new phase, we encourage a joint assessment of the operational, institutional and budgetary needs associated with the gradual transfer of MINUSCA's responsibilities. Such an approach would make it possible to better identify existing national capacities, gaps that need to be filled, and the resources necessary to ensure continuity of the functions transferred. We also wish to see stronger coordination among MINUSCA, the United Nations Country Team, the Peacebuilding Commission, international financial institutions, and our bilateral partners. Peacebuilding cannot be separated from economic development. Without infrastructure, employment opportunities and functioning public services, security gains will remain exposed to the same vulnerabilities that affected my country in the past. Madam President, in conclusion, the Central African Republic has made significant progress. We are determined to consolidate these gains and continue our efforts to strengthen our institutions and fully assume our national responsibilities. We must also be realistic about the means required to achieve these goals. My country must simultaneously preserve its security gains, respond to cross-border threats, pursue economic reconstruction, and gradually assume new responsibilities. This represents a considerable effort for a state whose financial capacities remain particularly limited. This is why we call on the Security Council to support a responsible transition accompanied by effective strengthening of national capacities and predictable international engagement. The challenge is not simply to transfer MONUSCO's responsibilities to the Central African state, it is to ensure that the state will sustainably possess the means necessary to carry them out. The Central African Republic remains firmly committed to the path of peace and intends to continue its cooperation with the United Nations and with all its partners in order to consolidate the progress achieved. Thank you, Madam President. Greece · President of the Council [1:27:30]: I thank the representative of the Central African Republic for the statement. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject. The meeting is adjourned.