Council conclusions on the Central African Republic - Main contents

Foreign Affairs Council meeting

Brussels, 9 February 2015

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  The European Union (EU) remains firmly committed to working in the Central African Republic (CAR) to support a sustainable process of recovery from the crisis. The agreements reached at Libreville in January 2013, N'Djamena in April 2013 and Brazzaville in July 2014, which have been endorsed by the UN Security Council, remain the essential framework of reference for all national, regional and international stakeholders. The EU reaffirms its full support for the work of the transitional authorities and welcomes the fact that they are cooperating closely with the UN, the AU and the ECCAS. It calls for the continuation of the political process launched by the transitional Head of State, with the support of the Mediator in the Central African crisis, in accordance with the framework set by the Security Council, including the individual sanctions regime. In this regard the EU urges all stakeholders in the CAR and all countries in the region to cooperate with the Security Council's Sanctions Committee. The EU commends the ECCAS for its firm stance at the consultations in Addis Ababa on 31 January 2015 regarding any parallel initiative which might jeopardise the current efforts of the international community to restore peace, security and stability in the CAR. The Bangui Forum will mark a crucial step in these efforts. With this in mind, the EU welcomes the fact that inclusive public consultations have been held since 21 January on the values of peace, dialogue and reconciliation. The people of the Central African Republic must take full ownership of this process.
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  The EU welcomes the efforts of the international forces, MINUSCA, Sangaris and EUFOR RCA, which are cooperating on the ground to protect civilians and contribute to the stabilisation of the country. Despite some improvement, the situation remains fragile. In this context, the EU strongly condemns the recent abductions in Bangui. It is particularly concerned by the obstacles to the smooth running of the grassroots consultations in the framework of the peace and reconciliation process, especially in the centre and north-east of the country. Violence by armed groups poses a threat to the people of the CAR and to the State and its territorial integrity.
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  The EU remains committed to finding a solution for an effective and lasting cessation of hostilities. The armed groups active in the CAR are urged to participate in this process in line with the framework of the transition and the principles of the fight against impunity for those responsible for serious crimes under international law. The EU calls on the transitional authorities and on all countries in the region to continue to cooperate with the International Criminal Court.
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  Once the European EUFOR RCA operation has completed its mandate on 15 March 2015 and transferred its mission in the capital to the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), a new military mission authorised by the Council of the EU (EUMAM RCA), established on 19 January 2015 for one year, will be deployed in Bangui in support of the people of the CAR and in close coordination with MINUSCA in the context of its mandate in the field of SSR. EUMAM RCA will provide the government of the CAR with expert advice, including on gender and human rights issues, with a view to reforming the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic (FACA) to make it into a professional army, democratically accountable and representative of the entire nation. The Council is required to authorise the launch of this new CSDP mission, which should reach initial operating capability on 1 March 2015. To this end, the EU underlines the importance of swift completion of the force generation process for EUMAM RCA. The EU welcomes the good cooperation with the Central African authorities and the other partners on the ground, notably the United Nations.
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  The transition process in the CAR must culminate in well-organised, free, fair and credible presidential and legislative elections. In this context, the EU calls on the relevant authorities to provide the clarifications needed for the continuation of the electoral process, in particular the arrangements for implementing the election operations, so that all stakeholders can be mobilised in accordance with the timetable laid down for the elections. On that basis, the EU confirms its willingness to make an immediate contribution to the elections in the CAR under the UN support programme, and calls on the transitional authorities, with the support of the UN, to actively seek to mobilise other donors.
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  The EU remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in the CAR. It is particularly concerned about the plight of those who have been displaced and are isolated in the interior of the country, as well as those who have taken refuge in neighbouring countries. The EU condemns the serious and repeated attacks by armed groups against civilians and humanitarian workers. There are still immense needs to be met, and the mobilisation of donors must be continued and intensified.
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  Aware of the serious difficulties faced by the CAR in terms of resources, the EU is working together with the IMF and the Central African authorities towards the gradual re-establishment of the budget balances which are crucial to the proper functioning of essential state services in the CAR.