Central African Republic: Explosives near border making humanitarian assistance nearly impossible

Opening remarks by Valentine Rugwabiza, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic (CAR) and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), on the situation in the country - Security Council, 9156th meeting. The head of the Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Valentine Rugwabiza, said that the resurgence of armed groups’ activity and the use of explosive devices in the border areas in the northwest of the country are making access to people who are in urgent and critical need of humanitarian assistance “difficult, if not impossible.” At the Security Council today (19 Oct), Rugwabiza said that the protection of civilians against abuse and physical violence continues to be hindered by the threats posed by a resurgence of activities by armed groups on the border areas of the Western Sector of the Central African Republic (CAR). She added, “These areas are the most affected by the laying of mines and explosive devices. Mines and devices that our own force has fallen victim to at the beginning of this month.” According to Rugwabiza, the calm noted in certain parts of CAR, thanks to the redeployment of national defense and security forces and the proactive and preventive posture of MINUSCA, “has meant that people are more freely able to move around and meant that more displaced persons and refugees have been able to return into areas recently free from the grip of armed groups.” However, she continued, “the humanitarian needs of people living in these areas remain alarming and call for a continued mobilization of humanitarian partners.”


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