The United Kindgom welcomes the continued consolidation of peace and stability in teh Central African Republic: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Central African Republic.

Location:

United Nations, New York

Delivered on:

20 October 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

I will make three points on supporting lasting stability in the Central African Republic.

First, the United Kingdom welcomes the continued consolidation of peace and stability gains and stresses the importance of protecting them.

The development of national and local institutions following elections, alongside progress in

implementing the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, are encouraging steps.

We also welcome continued progress on the disarmament and demobilisation of combatants.

However, growing conflict and insecurity in parts of the region pose risks, and it is important to ensure that hard-won gains are not rolled back.

We urge further steps to address persistent insecurity in the border areas. 

Recent escalations including in the CAR, Chad, and Sudan tri-border area underscore the impact of regional instability, including spillover from the conflict in Sudan.

With more than 416,000 people internally displaced and around two million facing food insecurity, it is critical to ensure humanitarian access.

Second, sustained security sector reform remains crucial.

Long-term stability will rest on the Central African Republic’s security institutions assuming greater responsibility for national security. 

These institutions need to be accountable and inclusive.

Continued efforts on disarmament and demobilisation are important, especially supporting reintegration opportunities for former combatants to prevent return to armed groups.

We encourage the Government of the Central African Republic to sustain momentum on reforms, with support from international partners and MINUSCA.

And third, we welcome the significant work undertaken by MINUSCA, in coordination with the Government of the Central African Republic, to reconfigure the Mission and establish a clear pathway for its transition.

We commend the SRSG for all of her leadership, and thank her for all of her work over the last four years.

As this Council considers MINUSCA’s mandate in the coming weeks, it will be important that any transition is gradual, conditions-based, carefully sequenced, and guided by realities on the ground. 

This will be essential to protect stability in the Central African Republic and to support the protection of civilians.