Central African Republic: Security Council Extends Mandate of UN Mission in the Country

The United Nations Security Council today extended until 31 July the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), determining that the situation in the country constitutes a threat to international peace and security.

Under Council resolution 2281 (2016), the 15-member body authorized the Mission to take all necessary means to carry out its mandate within its capabilities and areas of deployment.

The Council also welcomed the peaceful organization of a constitutional referendum on 13 December 2015 and legislative and presidential elections in December 2015, and February and March 2016, as well as the inauguration of President Faustin Archange Touadéra on 30 March.

In addition, the Council recognized that the future mandate of MINUSCA needs to be adapted to "the new circumstances stemming from the end of the transition, in full consultation with the newly elected authorities."

The Council also requested that the Secretary-General conduct a strategic review of MINUSCA to ensure that MINUSCA's future mandate is "properly configured and adapted to a post-transition stabilization environment that enables peacebuilding efforts" in the Central African Republic.

The Council also requested that the Secretary-General present recommendations to the Council by 22 June.