Security Council resolution 2031 (2011) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) until 31 Jan. 2013]
Symbol: S/RES/2031(2011)
Date: 2011-12-21
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/66 [183] UN INTEGRATED PEACEBUILDING OFFICE IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
S/66 [181] CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC SITUATION
Subjects: UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic|UN. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic|Mission for the Consolidation of Peace in Central African Republic|Front Populaire pour le Redressement (Central African Republic)|UN. Regional Office for Central Africa|UN. Office to the African Union|UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo|UN Mission in South Sudan|African Union. Special Envoy on the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) Issue|UN. Peacebuilding Commission|PEACEBUILDING|INTERNAL SECURITY|SECURITY SECTOR REFORM|HUMAN RIGHTS IN ARMED CONFLICTS|HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS|CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC|COORDINATION WITHIN UN SYSTEM|ELECTIONS|CONSULTATIONS|FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION|RIGHT OF ASSEMBLY|DISARMAMENT|MILITARY DEMOBILIZATION|REINTEGRATION|PEACE AGREEMENTS|BOUNDARIES|CHAD|SUDAN|REGIONAL COOPERATION|FOCAL POINTS|WORKING GROUPS|INFORMATION EXCHANGE|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE|CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICTS|CHILD WELFARE|GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE|SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT|DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES|POVERTY MITIGATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
vote: yes
country: BRAZIL
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: COLOMBIA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GABON
vote: yes
country: GERMANY
vote: yes
country: INDIA
vote: yes
country: LEBANON
vote: yes
country: NIGERIA
vote: yes
country: PORTUGAL
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SOUTH AFRICA
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/2031 (2011)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                21 December 2011




               Resolution 2031 (2011)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 6696th meeting, on
               21 December 2011

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling the statements of its President relating to the situation in the Central
               African Republic, in particular S/PRST/2010/29, S/PRST/2010/26, S/PRST/2009/35,
               S/PRST/2009/13, and S/PRST/2009/5,
                     Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial
               integrity and unity of the Central African Republic, and recalling the importance of
               the principles of good-neighbourliness and regional cooperation,
                     Welcoming ongoing efforts aimed at national reconciliation in the Central
               African Republic based on the Libreville Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2008,
               calling on its signatories to remain committed to the Agreement, and calling on all
               remaining armed groups to join the Agreement without delay,
                    Acknowledging the important role played by the United Nations Integrated
               Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) in support of
               mediation efforts undertaken by the Government of the Central African Republic
               and the National Mediator,
                    Acknowledging the efforts made by the authorities of the Central African
               Republic, the Independent Electoral Commission and all Central African
               stakeholders in organizing peaceful presidential and legislative elections in 2011,
               and welcoming the establishment by the Government of the Central African
               Republic on 14 July 2011 of a Transitional Committee for Elections,
                    Noting with concern that the near absence of a political opposition in the
               democratic institutions of the Central African Republic, which has added to the
               atmosphere of tension in the country, may constitute a considerable challenge to the
               process of national reconciliation and nation-building,
                     Welcoming the intention of the Government of the Central African Republic to
               work towards an all-inclusive political approach for the reform of the electoral code
               and the establishment of a permanent electoral management body, and welcoming in
               this regard the organization by the Government, with the support of BINUCA, of a
               workshop on electoral reforms with all national stakeholders from 28 to
               30 November 2011,


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                     Expressing deep concern at the precarious security situation in the Central
               African Republic due to the persisting presence and activities of national and
               foreign armed groups, including the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Front
               Populaire pour le Redressement (FPR), that threaten peace and security in the
               Central African Republic and the subregion,
                     Expressing concern at the lack of State authority outside the capital which has
               led to a serious security vacuum in many parts of the Central African Republic,
                     Welcoming the ceasefire agreement signed between the Government and the
               Convention des Patriotes pour la Justice et la Paix (CPJP) and the ceasefire
               agreement signed between CPJP and the Union des Forces Démocratiques pour le
               Rassemblement (UFDR) under the auspices of the Government and the National
               Mediator and with the support of the United Nations, the African Union, the Mission
               for the Consolidation of Peace in the Central African Republic (MICOPAX) and the
               Government of Chad,
                    Commending the African Union’s regional cooperation initiative for the
               elimination of the LRA, the appointment in November of a Special Envoy on the
               LRA, and its efforts to establish a Regional Intervention Force, a Joint Operations
               Centre and a Joint Co-ordination Mechanism,
                     Recalling its resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009),
               and 1960 (2010), on women, peace and security and its resolutions 1612 (2005),
               1882 (2009) and 1998 (2011) on children and armed conflict, recalling the
               conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed
               Conflict, including inter alia the adoption of action plans to put an end to the
               recruitment and use of children by armed groups, including by self-defence militias,
               and also recalling resolutions 1265 (1999), 1296 (2000), 1325 (2000), 1612 (2005),
               1674 (2006), 1738 (2006), 1820 (2008), 1882 (2009), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009)
               on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts,
                     Expressing serious concern at reports of continued human rights violations, in
               particular cases of extrajudicial executions and restrictions on civil liberties,
                    Noting the importance of the current dialogue between the Government of the
               Central African Republic and the International Monetary Fund on economic and
               financial developments in the Central African Republic,
                    Welcoming the continued engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission in the
               Central African Republic and the recent visit of a delegation from the Commission’s
               country-specific configuration, and acknowledging the contribution of the
               Peacebuilding Fund to peacebuilding in the Central African Republic,
                     Having considered the report (S/2011/739) of the Secretary-General on the
               situation in the Central African Republic and on the activities of BINUCA,
                    1.   Decides to extend the mandate of BINUCA as recommended by the
               Secretary-General in his report (S/2011/739), until 31 January 2013;
                    2.    Underlines the importance of a fully integrated office ensuring effective
               coordination of strategy and programmes among the United Nations agencies, funds
               and programmes in the Central African Republic, and emphasizes the role of the
               Secretary-General’s Special Representative in coordinating the country team;




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                 3.   Looks forward to the Government’s progress on the creation of a
           permanent and independent electoral management body responsible for organizing
           future elections and on the revision of the electoral code, drawing from the lessons
           learned during the elections held earlier in the year, and calls upon the Government
           to organize municipal elections as soon as possible;
                4.   Encourages the Government to continue to engage in consultations with
           the opposition in a consensual and inclusive manner, including on the electoral
           reform;
                 5.    Urges the Government of the Central African Republic to ensure that
           freedom of expression and assembly, including for the opposition parties, as well as
           the rule of law, which are essential for democracy, are fully respected; and urges the
           opposition parties and the Government to engage in a constructive dialogue to
           establish an environment allowing equal chances in the run-up to next electoral
           cycle;
                6.    Calls on the Government of the Central African Republic and all armed
           groups to remain committed to the national reconciliation process by fully observing
           the recommendations of the Inclusive Political dialogue that ended in 2008, and
           demands that all armed groups cooperate with the Government in the disarmament,
           demobilization and reintegration process;
                 7.   Welcomes the progress the Central African Republic has made in the
           disarmament and demobilization of former combatants in the Northwest, following
           the launch of related activities by President Bozizé on 25 June 2011, and encourages
           the Government of the Central African Republic to pursue the disarmament and
           demobilization of former combatants, in particular members of UFDR and CPJP;
                 8.    Welcomes the finalization on 8 July 2011 of the national strategy for the
           reintegration of former combatants drafted with the support of BINUCA, and urges
           the Government of the Central African Republic to redouble its efforts towards
           ensuring national ownership and full implementation of the strategy, in line with the
           wider security sector reform (SSR), and to define a timeline and draw-up specific
           reintegration programmes in order to be able to seek support from bilateral and
           multilateral partners;
                9.    Underscores the importance of SSR in the Central African Republic,
           notes with concern the absence of a credible and viable national SSR strategy and,
           in this regard, calls upon the Government of the Central African Republic to
           reengage in a meaningful dialogue with BINUCA on this issue, in particular by
           taking into consideration the SSR road map drafted by BINUCA in response to the
           request by the Government for help to revive the SSR process;
                10. Expresses concern at the security situation in the Central African
           Republic, which remains precarious, welcomes in this regard the continued efforts of
           MICOPAX in support of durable peace and security in the Central African Republic,
           and calls on countries in the subregion, and regional and subregional organizations
           to consider, upon request of the Central African Republic, the extension of the
           mandate of MICOPAX and other measures deemed appropriate to improve the
           security situation in the Central African Republic and the subregion;
                11. Underscores the primary responsibility of the Government of the Central
           African Republic to promote security and protect its civilians with full respect for



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               the rule of law, human rights, and international humanitarian law, stresses the
               importance of bilateral partners’ work enhancing the capacity of the Central African
               Republic Armed Forces and stresses that such assistance should be in support of the
               wider security reform process;
                     12. Underscores the need for Chad, Sudan and the Central African Republic
               to implement the tripartite agreement that was signed on 23 May 2011 in Khartoum
               to enhance security in their common border areas through joint patrols, and also the
               need for Chad, the Central African Republic and Cameroun to pursue the Tripartite
               Initiative, signed in December 2005, aimed at enhancing security at their borders;
                     13. Expresses deep concern at the extensive recruitment and the acquisition
               of weapons by the FPR, which threaten peace and security in the Central African
               Republic and the region and constitute violations of the commitments made by the
               FPR to lay down its weapons and enter into discussions towards peace in the Final
               Communiqué signed on 13 June 2011 by FPR leader Baba Laddé and the national
               mediators of Chad and the Central African Republic, condemns human rights
               violations perpetrated by the FPR, and encourages the Government of the Central
               African Republic to continue to liaise with the Government of Chad to reach a
               solution;
                     14. Strongly condemns the continued violations of international humanitarian
               and human rights law, including the recruitment and use of children, killing and
               maiming, rape, sexual slavery and other sexual violence and abductions perpetrated
               by armed groups, and specifically the LRA that threaten the population as well as
               peace and stability of the Central African Republic and the subregion, and calls on
               BINUCA to report on human rights violations perpetrated by armed groups
               particularly against children and women;
                    15. Welcomes the efforts of the Government of the Central African Republic
               to combat the LRA on its territory, further welcomes the African Union’s Regional
               Cooperation Initiative for the elimination of the LRA and the appointment of an
               African Union Special Envoy to coordinate this activity, and commends States in the
               region for their increased cooperation and efforts to address this threat;
                     16. Welcomes the designation by BINUCA of a focal point for LRA-related
               activities and the establishment of a working group that includes national and
               international stakeholders, including the African Union, the European Union, the
               United States of America, France and United Nations Office in Central Africa
               (UNOCA), and calls on BINUCA to reinforce information sharing on the LRA, in
               particular with the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), the
               United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU), the United Nations
               Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
               (MONUSCO), the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South-Sudan
               (UNMISS) and the newly appointed African Union Special Envoy for the LRA, and
               to assist the Government of the Central African Republic in developing a strategy
               and supporting activities to encourage defections from the LRA, address the
               disarmament and demobilization of LRA escapees and defectors, and their
               resettlement or repatriation to their countries of origin, within existing resources;
                    17. Urges all parties concerned to provide for unhindered humanitarian
               access to populations in need;




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                 18. Welcomes the recent signature by the Armée Populaire pour la
           Restauration de la Démocratie (APRD) and the CPJP of action plans to halt the
           recruitment and use of children, calls on all remaining parties listed in the
           Secretary-General’s report on children and armed conflict to follow suit as soon as
           possible, welcomes the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
           on Children and Armed Conflict in the Central African Republic and encourages the
           parties to continue engaging with her in this regard, calls on the international
           community to support child reintegration efforts, and urges the Government of the
           Central African Republic to continue to strengthen the protection of children,
           including through the implementation of pertinent legislation and in the conduct of
           military operations;
                19. Expresses concern at persistent incidents of sexual and gender-based
           violence, and encourages BINUCA to continue engaging with the Government of
           the Central African Republic and other stakeholders, including the Special
           Representative of the Secretary-General, to address these issues;
                 20. Urges the Government of the Central African Republic to investigate
           reports of human rights violations in the country, to ensure that those who may be
           responsible for such violations are brought to justice, and to take the necessary steps
           to prevent further violations;
                21. Encourages the Government of the Central African Republic to more
           meaningfully engage the Bretton Woods institutions, especially the International
           Monetary Fund, as their assistance is critical for the revitalization of the economy
           and for the development of the country;
                22. Encourages the Government of the Central African Republic, the
           Peacebuilding Commission and its national and international partners to honour the
           commitments made under the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding, requests the
           Peacebuilding Commission, with the support of BINUCA, to continue to assist the
           Government in laying the foundations for sustainable peace and development in the
           Central African Republic, including by ensuring that progress is made in the
           enforcement of rule of law, and that peacebuilding objectives are fully taken into
           account in the future strategic planning processes, and requests the Peacebuilding
           Commission to provide advice to the Security Council on these issues;
                 23. Commends the Government of the Central African Republic for
           launching its Second Generation Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP II), and
           calls on the Government to prioritize its objectives, including those on access to
           basic services and health care, food security, infrastructure and DDR as well as SSR,
           and to tackle the issue of corruption, and enhance fiscal transparency;
                24.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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