Security Council resolution 2121 (2013) [on the situation in the Central African Republic]
Symbol: S/RES/2121 (2013)
Date: 2013-10-10
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/68 [181] CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC SITUATION
S/68 [183] UN INTEGRATED PEACEBUILDING OFFICE IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Subjects: African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA)|Lord's Resistance Army (Uganda)|UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic|PEACEBUILDING|POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION|HUMAN RIGHTS IN ARMED CONFLICTS|SECURITY SECTOR REFORM|INTERNAL SECURITY|CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC|ELECTIONS|DISARMAMENT|MILITARY DEMOBILIZATION|REINTEGRATION|RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ARGENTINA
vote: yes
country: AUSTRALIA
vote: yes
country: AZERBAIJAN
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GUATEMALA
vote: yes
country: LUXEMBOURG
vote: yes
country: MOROCCO
vote: yes
country: PAKISTAN
vote: yes
country: REPUBLIC OF KOREA
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: RWANDA
vote: yes
country: TOGO
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                  S/RES/2121 (2013)
               Security Council                                                Distr.: General
                                                                               10 October 2013




               Resolution 2121 (2013)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 7042nd meeting, on
               10 October 2013

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling its resolution 2088 (2013) and its Press Statements of 14 August
               2013, 29 April 2013, 25 March 2013, 22 March 2013, 20 March 2013, 11 January
               2013, 4 January 2013, 27 December 2012 and 19 December 2012,
                     Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial
               integrity and unity of the Central African Republic (CAR), and recalling the
               importance of the principles of good-neighbourliness and regional cooperation,
                     Expressing deep concern at the security situation in the CAR, characterized by
               a total breakdown in law and order, the absence of the rule of law and further
               expressing its grave concern about the consequences of instability in the CAR, on
               the central African region and beyond, and stressing in this regard the need to
               respond swiftly,
                     Remaining seriously concerned by violations of international humanitarian law
               and the widespread human rights violations and abuses, notably by Seleka elements,
               including those involving extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary
               arrests and detention, torture, sexual violence against women and children, rape,
               recruitment and use of children and attacks against civilians,
                     Reiterating that all perpetrators of such acts must be held accountable and that
               some of those acts may amount to crimes under the Rome Statute of the
               International Criminal Court (ICC), to which the CAR is a State party, recalling in
               this regard the statement made by the Prosecutor of the ICC on 7 August 2013,
                    Noting with appreciation the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution
               on the 25th of September, which decided to appoint a United Nations independent
               expert to monitor the situation of human rights in the CAR and to make
               recommendations concerning technical assistance and capacity-building in the field
               of human rights,
                    Expressing its grave concern at the significant deterioration of the
               humanitarian situation and the insecurity which hinders humanitarian access, as well
               as violations of international humanitarian law which have escalated the growing
               humanitarian crisis into a complex emergency,


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                    Underlining its particular concern at reports of the targeted violence against
               representatives of ethnic and religious groups and increasing tensions between
               communities,
                   Expressing concern about the continued activity of the Lord’s Resistance
               Army (LRA) in the CAR due in part to the prevailing security situation,
                    Recalling its resolution 2117 (2013) and expressing grave concern at the threat
               to peace and security in the CAR arising from the illicit transfer, destabilizing
               accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons,
                    Strongly condemning the targeted attacks against United Nations staff and
               humanitarian actors and emphasizing that all parties should take the necessary steps
               to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and United Nations and
               associated personnel and to respect and ensure respect for the inviolability of the
               United Nations premises,
                    Recalling its resolutions 1265 (1999), 1296 (2000), 1674 (2006), 1738 (2006)
               and 1894 (2009) on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, resolutions 1325
               (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), 1960 (2010) and 2106 (2013) on
               women, peace and security and resolutions 1612 (2005), 1882 (2009), 1998 (2011)
               and 2068 (2012) on children and armed conflict and calling upon the parties in the
               CAR to engage with the Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict and
               the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict,
                    Looking forward to the swift appointment of a new Chair for the Central
               African Republic Peacebuilding Commission Country-Specific Configuration,
                    Reiterating its condemnation of the seizure of power by force on 24 March
               2013 by the Seleka coalition as well as the associated violence and looting,
                     Condemning the devastation of natural heritage and noting that poaching and
               trafficking of wildlife are among the factors that fuel the crisis in the CAR,
                     Noting the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council dated
               25 March 2013 to suspend the participation of the CAR in all the activities of the
               African Union and the decision taken by this organization against the Seleka leaders
               whose action violated the Libreville agreements and jeopardized the precarious
               stability in the CAR,
                     Commending the ongoing efforts of the Economic Community of Central
               African States (ECCAS) and its Mediator regarding the CAR crisis, as well as the
               efforts of the African Union to resolve the crisis, and the efforts of the International
               Contact Group on the CAR,
                    Welcoming the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council on
               19 July 2013 to authorize the deployment of the “ African-led International Support
               Mission in the CAR” (referred to hereafter as MISCA), as well as the conclusions
               reached by the AU and the ECCAS regarding the modalities of the transition from
               MICOPAX to MISCA following the consultative meeting held in Addis Ababa on
               2 and 3 September 2013,
                    Taking note of the Kigali Declaration of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the
               members of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee responsible for
               Security Questions in Central African States (UNSAC),



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                Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General dated 5 August 2013
           (S/2013/470) and his recommendations on the United Nations Integrated
           Peacebuilding Office in the CAR (BINUCA),
                Taking note of the letter of the Secretary-General dated 16 September
           (S/2013/557), on the situation in the CAR and on the activities of BINUCA,
                 Reiterating that the armed conflict and crisis in the CAR pose a serious threat
           to the stability of the CAR and the central African region and beyond,

           Political transition
                1.   Expresses its support for the Libreville Agreements of 11 January 2013,
           the N’Djamena Declaration of 18 April 2013 and the N’Djamena Summit Roadmap,
           which provide the basis for a peaceful political resolution to the crisis in the CAR;
                2.    Reiterates that, according to the political agreement signed in Libreville,
           the Prime Minister is the Head of the Government of National Unity which is in
           charge of implementing the priorities defined in article 5 of this agreement and
           urges all parties to respect this agreement;
                 3.   Demands the swift implementation of transitional arrangements referred
           to in paragraph 1 above, which shall lead to the holding of free, fair and transparent
           presidential and legislative elections 18 months after the beginning of the transition
           period as defined in article 102 of the Transition Charter which took effect on
           18 August 2013, and called for by the N’Djamena Declaration;
                4.   Requests the Secretary-General to provide support to the ongoing
           mediation efforts by the ECCAS, including through the good offices of his Special
           Representative to the CAR, to support the implementation of the Libreville
           agreements and the N’Djamena Roadmap;
                5.    Expresses its readiness to consider appropriate measures as necessary
           against those who take action that undermines the peace, stability and security,
           including those who violate transitional agreements, impede the transitional process
           and fuel violence;
                 6.    Underscores the primary responsibility of the Central African authorities
           to protect the population, as well as to ensure the security and unity in its territory,
           and stresses their obligation to ensure respect for international humanitarian law,
           human rights law and refugee law;
                7.   Expresses its full support for the efforts of the United Nations in the
           CAR, including through Special Representative of the Secretary-General,
           Lieutenant-General (Retired) Gaye, and reiterates its call upon the international
           community to support these efforts;
                8.   Demands that the Seleka elements and all other armed groups lay down
           their arms immediately and urges them to participate in disarmament,
           demobilization and reintegration programmes (DDR) or disarmament,
           demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration programmes (DDRRR);

           BINUCA mandate
               9.     Takes note with appreciation of the recommendations by the Secretary-General, in his letter dated 16 September 2013 (S/2013/557), to reinforce BINUCA;


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                    10.   Decides that the mandate of BINUCA shall be reinforced and updated as
               follows:
                    (a)   Support for the implementation of the transition process:
                          – To help restore the constitutional order by supporting the ongoing
                            political process, transitional institutions and implementation
                            mechanisms, and to help support the implementation of Libreville
                            agreements and the N’Djamena Roadmap;
                          – To assist in the implementation of the electoral process, with a view to
                            holding elections, as referred to in paragraph 3 above;
                    (b)   Support for conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance:
                          – To exercise good offices, confidence-building and facilitation in order
                            to anticipate, prevent, mitigate and resolve conflict and facilitate the
                            safe, civilian-led delivery of humanitarian assistance, in accordance
                            with United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian assistance;
                    (c)   Support for the stabilization of the security situation:
                          – To support the stabilization of the security situation by advising on
                            security sector governance and reform (SSR), rule of law (including
                            police, justice and corrections), disarmament, demobilization and
                            reintegration (DDR) or disarmament, demobilization, repatriation,
                            resettlement and reintegration (DDRRR) of combatants, including of
                            all children associated with armed forces and groups, and mine action,
                            including clearance of explosive remnants of war;
                    (d)   Promotion and protection of human rights:
                          – To monitor, help investigate and report to the Council on abuses or
                            violations of human rights or violations of international humanitarian
                            law committed throughout the CAR, including by the LRA, and to
                            contribute to efforts to prevent such violations and abuses;
                          – To monitor, help investigate and report to the Council, specifically on
                            violations and abuses committed against children as well as violations
                            committed against women including all forms of sexual violence in
                            armed conflict, including through the deployment of women
                            protection advisers and child protection advisers;
                          – To help strengthen the capacities of the judicial system, including
                            transitional justice mechanisms, and of the national human rights
                            institutions and assist with national reconciliation efforts;
                    (e)   Coordination of international actors:
                          – To coordinate international actors involved in the implementation of
                            the tasks described above;
                     11. Takes note of the recommendation of the Secretary-General for BINUCA
               to strengthen its field presence as security conditions permit and, in this regard,
               expresses its intention to swiftly consider the Secretary-General’s proposals for the
               protection of United Nations personnel and installations, including the possible




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           establishment of a guard unit and requests the Secretary-General to provide details
           in this regard;

           LRA
                 12. Calls on all countries, subregional and regional organizations concerned
           to further their efforts and enhance their coordination including through the African
           Union Regional Task Force and the United Nations regional strategy to address the
           threat posed by the LRA;

           Human rights and humanitarian access
                13. Strongly condemns the continued violations of international humanitarian
           law and the widespread human rights violations and abuses, perpetrated by armed
           groups, and specifically Seleka elements and the LRA, that threaten the population
           and stresses that the perpetrators of such violations shall be brought to justice;
                14. Demands that all parties in the CAR, in particular the Seleka, ensure safe
           and unhindered access and the timely delivery of humanitarian aid to persons in
           need of assistance in accordance with United Nations guiding principles of
           humanitarian assistance;
                 15. Demands that all armed groups, in particular Seleka elements prevent the
           recruitment and use of children, further demands that all parties protect and consider
           as victims those children who have been released or otherwise separated from armed
           forces and armed groups, and emphasizes the need to pay particular attention to the
           protection, release and reintegration of all children associated with armed groups;
                 16. Calls upon all parties to armed conflict in the CAR, including Seleka
           elements to issue clear orders against sexual violence, and further calls upon those
           parties to make and implement specific commitments on timely investigation of
           alleged abuses in order to hold perpetrators accountable, in line with its resolution
           1960 (2010), and to facilitate immediate access for victims of sexual violence to
           available services;

           DDR/SSR
                 17. Underlines the importance of developing and implementing
           disarmament, demobilization and reintegration or repatriation (DDR or DDRRR)
           programmes, including for those Seleka elements who will not be integrated into the
           security forces, as well as Security Sector Reform (SSR) programmes, which
           include appropriate vetting procedures, underscores the need for professional,
           balanced and representative CAR security forces and requests the Secretary-General
           to present details on those programmes and proposals regarding BINUCA’s potential
           assistance for their implementation in his report due on 31 December;
                18. Stresses the importance of addressing the illicit transfer, destabilizing
           accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons in the CAR, and
           expresses its readiness to consider appropriate responses in this regard;

           Support to MISCA
               19. Looks forward to the swift establishment of MISCA, which will represent
           a major contribution towards creating the conditions for a stable and democratic



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               CAR exercising authority over its national territory and assuming its responsibility
               for the protection of its civilian population;
                     20. Encourages countries in the region and other African countries to
               participate in the establishment of MISCA, further encourages Member States to
               provide timely and effective support to MISCA and also encourages the AU and the
               ECCAS, building on their previous consultations, to expedite their efforts towards
               the effective transition from MICOPAX to MISCA, and requests in this regard the
               Secretary-General and BINUCA to establish appropriate cooperation mechanisms
               with the ECCAS and the AU in order to facilitate this process;
                     21. Takes note of the letter of the African Union dated 26 July 2013, which
               stressed the importance of a strong partnership with the United Nations;
                     22. Expresses its intention to consider options for support to MISCA,
               requests the Secretary-General to immediately provide planners to assist ECCAS
               and the African Union, in close consultation with all interested bilateral partners and
               international organizations, in the joint planning efforts for the deployment of
               MISCA, and further requests the Secretary-General to submit, in close cooperation
               with the AU and the ECCAS and the above mentioned partners, no later than 30
               days after the adoption of this resolution, a written report on the planning of MISCA
               with detailed options for international support to MISCA, including the possible
               option of a transformation of MISCA into a United Nations peacekeeping operation,
               subject to appropriate conditions on the ground;

               Report
                    23. Reiterates its request to the Secretary-General to provide a report by
               31 December 2013 in line with its resolution 2088 (2013), including a detailed
               assessment of BINUCA’s performance and effectiveness;
                    24.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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