MINUSCA Mandate Renewal: Explanation of Vote

Thank you, President,

My delegation thanks France, for the facilitation of the negotiations of the just adopted Resolution.

Kenya's decision to vote for this resolution was a fine balance between the notable improvement in MINUSCA's continuing implementation of its mandate in support of the CAR and the critical need to improve the resolution to increase its opportunities to be more successful. We were persuaded by the need to give the new SRSG time and support to build on the new impetus.

We stress the importance of ensuring that MINUSCA appropriately coordinates with the government at all times. It is also crucial that government and mission occupy their respective mandates with clarity, a willingness to consult, and a spirit of professional regard and propriety.

The A3, after consultations with the CAR presented proposals that would have improved the MINUSCA mandate. While a few of them were agreed, important ones were left out. The resolution is therefore still not fully fit for purpose. We need to place this on record for improvements during the next renewal because there may remain critical gaps in the mission's ability to effectively deliver on its mandate.

We particularly single out the proposal to promote the task concerning extension of state authority, the deployment of security forces, and the preservation of territorial integrity from "other tasks" category to "priority tasks". The fact that it was moved up in the "other tasks" category is still not enough.

In our considered view, this task alongside protection of civilians, is the raison d'être of any peacekeeping mission and should be robustly pursued, to ensure that the host states eventually assume their primary responsibility.

Indeed, successful implementation of these and other tasks would lead to any peacekeeping mission's acceptance by the host communities, safety and security of peacekeepers and the successful transitioning of the mission.

We were also hoping to have stronger language condemning activities of armed groups to send a strong message that this Council abhors their destabilizing activity.

We urge Council to revisit the important matter of the independent strategic review of MINUSCA as requested by the CAR, at the earliest possible opportunity, with clear timelines for the same.

On the overall conduct of the negotiations, we regret the manifest geopolitical considerations that dictated positions by certain delegations. The attendant polarization as it has come to characterize discussions on matters concerning the CAR, destroyed any hopes of consensus. The net result is the civilians in CAR suffering consequences of rivalries they have absolutely no interest in.

We welcome the solid efforts of the CAR government which have set the country on a path towards stabilization of the political and security situation. We equally laud its frequent efforts to have its voice heard in the Council and responded to and its commitment to cooperate with the United Nations.

In conclusion, Kenya reaffirms its respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Central African Republic.

I thank you.