15.12.2016   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 468/202

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having regard to its resolutions of 17 January 2013 (1) and 12 September 2013 (2) on the situation in the Central African Republic,

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having regard to UN Security Council resolutions 2088 (2013) of 24 January 2013, 2121 (2013) of 10 October 2013, and 2127 (2013) of 5 December 2013,

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having regard to the report of the UN Secretary-General of 15 November 2013 and the report of Mr Abou Moussa, Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa,

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having regard to the call for the international community to provide assistance made, while addressing the United Nations, by the Prime Minister of the CAR, Nicolas Tiangaye,

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having regard to the letter of 20 November 2013 from the authorities of the CAR in which they call for MISCA to be supported by French forces,

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having regard to the briefing to the Security Council of 25 November 2013 by the UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson on the situation in the Central African Republic,

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having regard to the statements by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 21 December 2012, 1 and 11 January 2013, 25 March 2013, 21 April 2013, 27 August 2013 and 5 December 2013 on the Central African Republic,

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having regard to the statements by the EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection of 21 December 2012 on the new outbreak of conflict in the Central African Republic and of 10 September 2013 on the worsening of the crisis in the Central African Republic,

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having regard to the revised Cotonou Agreement,

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having regard to the establishment of an International Contact Group on the Central African Republic in May 2013 to coordinate regional, continent-wide and international action in order to find a lasting solution to the country’s recurrent problems,

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having regard to the meeting of the International Contact Group of 3 May 2013 in Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo), which validated the roadmap for the transition and set up a Special Fund to assist the Central African Republic (CAR),

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having regard to the declaration adopted by the International Contact Group on the CAR at its third meeting held in Bangui on 8 November 2013,

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having regard to the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), ratified by the CAR in 2001,

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having regard to the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been signed by the CAR,

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having regard to the press statement issued on 13 November 2013 by the African Union Peace and Security Council on the situation in the CAR,

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having regard to the adoption by the African Union Peace and Security Council on 10 October 2013 of a new concept of operations,

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having regard to the communiqué issued by the African Union Peace and Security Council on 13 November 2013, which welcomed the planned reinforcement of the French contingent in order to lend better support to the MISCA,

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having regard to the resolution of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly of 19 June 2013 on the Central African Republic,

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having regard to the statement of 27 November 2013 by the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia),

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having regard to the EU Council conclusions of 21 October 2013 on the Central African Republic,

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having regard to Rules 122(5) and 110(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.

whereas, since fighting broke out in the CAR at the end of 2012 and Séléka rebels seized power from former President François Bozizé in March 2013, the CAR has been plunged into chaos, resulting in severe food and medical shortages;

B.

whereas, since the military victory of the Séléka coalition on 24 March 2013 and its seizure of power, elements of that coalition have committed many atrocities, rapes, crimes, acts of physical violence and thefts, as well as looting and other human rights violations, both in the capital and in the provinces, and have not been subject to any control; whereas increasing use is being made of child soldiers and sexual violence is growing;

C.

whereas abuses are also being committed by other armed groups, some of which claim to support former President Bozizé;

D.

whereas, since 5 December 2013, 400 people have died in Bangui over a period of 72 hours;

E.

whereas the war is being instrumentalised into a war of religion, as evidenced by the plight of Christian communities, and whereas, despite the joint efforts of religious leaders to avoid interconfessional war and the traditional peaceful coexistence between religions and communities, the situation is in danger of getting out of hand unless it is properly addressed;

F.

whereas there is a risk of contagion in the region as, if the CAR becomes a sanctuary for terrorists, narcotics traffickers, jihadists and bandits, neighbouring countries will also be affected; whereas the Cameroon authorities temporarily closed the border with the CAR after Séléka rebels attacked the border town of Toktoyo and killed a Cameroon border officer;

G.

whereas these violent acts are being committed by groups equipped with modern arms and certain heavy weapons;

H.

whereas armed conflicts have become increasingly self-financing, as rebel groups, criminal networks, mercenaries and predatory elites have increasingly relied on natural resource revenues to fund military activities;

I.

whereas the national Transitional Authorities are not able to control those responsible for the violence or to carry out their duty to protect the people;

J.

whereas the violence perpetrated in the CAR makes it urgent to act to avert the risks of mass crimes against the people of the CAR and risks to the stability of the countries in the region;

K.

whereas there is a risk that the situation in the CAR may create a conducive environment for the development of transnational criminal activity;

L.

whereas, although 1 300 ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) troops have been deployed to the CAR, they have been unable to prevent the country from sliding into lawlessness;

M.

whereas, by its unanimously adopted resolution 2127 (2013), the UN Security Council authorised increased military action by French and African troops in order to restore security and protect civilians in the CAR, imposed an arms embargo and asked the United Nations to prepare for a possible peacekeeping mission;

N.

whereas on 26 November 2013 General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko (Congo) was appointed as Special Representative of the African Union in the Central African Republic and head of the African force being deployed in the country (MISCA);

O.

whereas MISCA will be able to deploy its troops for a period of 12 months, subject to a review after six months, with a remit to protect civilians, restore order and security, stabilise the country and create conditions conducive to the provision of humanitarian aid;

P.

whereas the launch of a UN peace-keeping mission, for which the African Union has called, and which is envisaged by UN Security Council Resolution 2127 (2013), would make it possible to ensure ongoing financial backing for the operation;

Q.

whereas, according to the report of the UN Secretary-General, a UN operation would require the mobilisation of between 6 000 and 9 000 peace-keepers in order to be effective;

R.

whereas the breakdown of public order and security in the CAR is causing a humanitarian disaster and also poses a significant threat to regional security;

S.

whereas the killing of civilians, the burning of houses and the destruction of basic infrastructure have forced half a million of the country’s 4,6 million people to flee;

T.

whereas on 4 September 2013 the prosecutor of the Bangui Tribunal asked for the 24 former Séléka rebels brought to justice in the first trial dealing with the abuses committed in the CAR to be sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment;

U.

whereas many perpetrators of human rights violations and war crimes have not been prosecuted; whereas this promotes a climate of impunity and favours the perpetration of further crimes;

V.

whereas the recent Emergency Food Security Assessment (EFSA) revealed that 484 000 people were at risk of food insecurity in the country;

W.

whereas, due to insecurity and an inadequate level of funding given the scale of the crisis, humanitarian organisations are only working in towns;

X.

whereas the instability has pushed 70 % of children out of school;

Y.

whereas the European Union continues to engage in regular political dialogue with the CAR and remains the country’s main donor, having increased its humanitarian aid by EUR 8 million, to EUR 20 million; whereas this EU aid is not enough and whereas other international partners must also enter into commitments;

Z.

whereas the complexity of the crisis necessitates a consistent, comprehensive, integrated and multidimensional response, as military intervention cannot by itself resolve the problems;

AA.

whereas it is important to put in place a broad and holistic approach, which takes into account the interconnectedness between the CAR’s natural resource governance, peace, security and development issues with a view to achieving a lasting solution;

AB.

having regard to the need for substantial international economic aid;

AC.

noting the decision by the Kimberley Process to suspend the CAR;

AD.

whereas, despite the uncertain situation in the CAR, the EU has never suspended development cooperation with the country and remains the biggest donor of humanitarian aid; whereas on 5 December 2013 the EU offered EUR 50 million for the African-led International Support Mission in the CAR in order to contribute to the stabilisation of the country and the protection of local populations, as well as to create conditions that would allow for the provision of humanitarian assistance and the reform of security and the defence sector;

1.

Strongly condemns the serious violations of humanitarian law and widespread violations of human rights law, notably by former Séléka and militia groups, in particular those known as ‘anti-balaka’, including extrajudicial killings, summary executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, sexual and gender-based violence and the recruitment of child soldiers; expresses its deep concern at the new dynamic of violence and retaliation prevailing in the CAR, which risks degenerating into an uncontrollable situation, involving the most serious crimes under international law, such as war crimes and crimes against humanity; is equally concerned about the possible spill-over effect, which threatens to destabilise the whole region;

2.

Reiterates its deep concern at the situation in the CAR, which is characterised by a complete breakdown of law and order, the absence of the rule of law and sectarian violence; condemns the recent violence that has further eroded even the most basic services in the country and exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation affecting the entire population;

3.

Welcomes, in this connection, the UN Security Council decision on an arms embargo against the CAR;

4.

Welcomes the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2127 (2013) under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and calls for its rapid implementation so as to spare the CAR population further violence and insecurity;

5.

Welcomes the swift deployment of French military troops pursuant to the authorisation given by UN Security Council and their efforts aimed at stopping the violence, protecting the civilian population and disarming the militias;

6.

Does homage to the two French soldiers serving alongside the African forces who were killed on the first day of their mission to protect the civilian population in the CAR;

7.

Welcomes the on-going international efforts to restore order, including the strengthening of ECCAS’s MICOPAX peacekeeping force and its reconfiguration into the International Support Mission for Central Africa (MISCA) peacekeeping force under the responsibility of the African Union;

8.

Calls on the international community to make all the necessary financial, troop and other contributions to the scaling-up of the primarily African international security presence and ensure the implementation of its mandate; welcomes, in this connection, the EUR 50 million provided by the EU in support of AFISMA-CAR;

9.

Deplores the slow pace at which a United Nations Peace-keeping mission is being established and the time required in order for the Security Council to confer a mandate pursuant to Chapter VII of the UN Charter;

10.

Considers it necessary, furthermore, to address the consequences of the conflicts, in particular through reform of the armed forces and security forces, demilitarisation, the demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2121 (2013), the repatriation of refugees, the return of internally displaced people to their homes, and the implementation of viable development programmes;

11.

Calls on the Council of the European Union to study the possibility of organising training and support for MISCA, as has been done for AMISOM, in order to increase the capacity of the African forces to manage the planning and conduct of the operations to establish security themselves;

12.

Notes that the recent crises in Mali and the CAR illustrate the need for the continent of Africa to establish an adequate continental security capacity; with this in mind, calls on the EU and its Member States to step up their support for the practical establishment of the African Capacity for Immediate Reaction to Crisis (CARIC) launched in June 2013, the indispensable corollary to the rapid operationalisation of the African Standby Force (ASF) of the African Union, which was initially planned for 2010;

13.

Calls for stronger regional cooperation to combat the ‘Lord’s Resistance Army’;

14.

Stresses that there should be no impunity for perpetrators of gross human rights and international humanitarian law violations; calls for the perpetrators of such acts to be reported, identified, prosecuted and punished in accordance with national and international criminal law; points out, in this regard, that the situation in the CAR has already been brought before the ICC and that, under the Court’s statute, there is no period of prescription for genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes, and welcomes the statement made on 7 August 2013 by the Prosecutor of the ICC;

15.

Calls for measures to be taken as a matter of urgency to combat violence against women and girls, ensure their protection and end impunity for the perpetrators of such crimes;

16.

Welcomes, in particular, the establishment by the UN Security Council of a commission of inquiry to investigate reports of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses committed in the CAR by all parties since January 2013; calls on all parties to cooperate fully with this commission in order to ensure that the authors of these heinous acts are held accountable;

17.

Encourages full cooperation with the Sanctions Committee established by UN Security Council resolution 2127 (2013);

18.

Calls on the authorities of the CAR to fulfil the obligations laid down in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which their country has signed;

19.

Calls for national and international obligations to be maintained as regards the prohibition of recruitment and the use of children in armed forces and armed groups;

20.

Welcomes the establishment of an aerial humanitarian bridge by the EU, through ECHO flights — the aerial humanitarian transport service — as of 9 December, in order to step up international efforts to stabilise the CAR by ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches those most desperately in need; salutes the efforts by the External Action Service and the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid in responding swiftly to the situation;

21.

Calls on the international community to keep the CAR at the top of its agenda and to support this fragile country; stresses, in this connection, that the humanitarian community must also maintain its commitment to the CAR, in spite of the current political and security situation, and allocate adequate resources to respond to the medical and humanitarian crisis which the country is experiencing; is concerned at the restricted humanitarian access and condemns attacks against humanitarian workers; calls on all parties to the conflict, and in particular the Séléka, to allow safe and unhindered access for humanitarian and relief organisations;

22.

Welcomes the increased EU support in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the CAR and calls for the EU and its Members States, as leading donors to the country, to enhance their coordination with the other donors and international institutions in order to adequately meet urgent humanitarian needs and alleviate the suffering of the Central African people;

23.

Calls on the International Contact Group on the CAR to provide the CAR with the necessary financial support to create viable economic development, restore a functioning public administration and services and to put in place functioning democratic institutions, capable of protecting citizens;

24.

Insists that a comprehensive political solution, including fair distribution of revenue through the state budget, is vital for finding solutions to the crisis and paving the way for sustainable development of the region;

25.

Condemns the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the CAR;

26.

Considers that transparency and public scrutiny in the mining sector are crucial to efficient mining management and to making public the activities and revenues of mining and exporting companies;

27.

Calls for measures to be taken. with the assistance of the international community, to strengthen the efforts to resolve the political crisis and to build a justice system and an administrative infrastructure, giving high priority to restoring basic services in the fields of justice, healthcare and education; calls for action to be taken to ensure and promote the right to education and for the government to step up its efforts to implement the Plan of Action on Education for All;

28.

Condemns the devastation of the natural heritage, particularly by means of poaching;

29.

Reaffirms its support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the CAR;

30.

Calls on the CAR authorities to implement the agreements concerning the political transition without delay in order to allow the holding of elections and a return to constitutional order by February 2015;

31.

Reiterates its support for the Prime Minister, Nicolas Tiangaye, who has the support of the international community;

32.

Calls for the reconstitution of the CAR’s civil service in order to organise credible and uncontested national polls with a view to guiding the country further along the path of democracy; notes that, despite the efforts of Prime Minister Tiangaye, state structures and control have been eroded to a point where little remains of them; encourages the participation of civil society in the debates on the CAR’s future;

33.

Urges the Transitional Authorities to ensure women’s full participation in all phases of the process;

34.

Welcomes the fact that the UN undertakes to ‘closely monitor the management of the Transition’;

35.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, VP/HR Catherine Ashton, the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General, the institutions of the African Union, ECCAS, the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and the EU Member States, and the National Transitional Council of the Central African Republic.