United Nations (TDI): Pakistan has welcomed the Central African Republic’s decision to proceed with presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections in December, calling the move an important step toward stabilizing a country long battered by cycles of violence since independence from France more than six decades ago.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council debate on the situation in CAR, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, described the decision as “an important step towards consolidating democracy and representative governance” in the country. He praised what he called “encouraging progress” under the 2019 Political Agreement, highlighting the disarmament of armed groups and the demobilization of more than 600 combatants as significant gains that require continued international support.
Ambassador Jadoon cautioned, however, that the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process must be nationally led, centrally coordinated and transparent, and must include socio‑economic reintegration measures to reduce the risk of ex‑combatants slipping back into violence. He said concerns raised by the UN Secretary‑General over parallel or unregulated disarmament efforts underscored the need for strict oversight.
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While welcoming improved stability in many prefectures, Pakistan’s envoy voiced concern about persistent volatility in the country’s northeast, particularly in Vakaga, where the conflict in neighboring Sudan has contributed to cross‑border insecurity. “Cross‑border incursions, illicit flows and humanitarian pressures underscore the need for enhanced regional coordination,” he said, urging support for the CAR government’s cooperation with Chad and other neighbours to strengthen border management and transhumance security.
Ambassador Jadoon also stressed the importance of sustaining the UN peacekeeping mission in the CAR, MINUSCA, amid broader UN system liquidity constraints. He hailed MINUSCA’s work to date as “a success story” of UN peacekeeping and called for robust financial backing to allow the mission to continue protecting civilians and supporting the political process. “Pakistan is proud to have 1,400 troops serving in MINUSCA,” he added, underlining Islamabad’s tangible contribution to the mission’s efforts.
In closing, Ambassador Jadoon reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for the people and government of the Central African Republic in their pursuit of lasting peace, stability and development. He said MINUSCA’s sustained presence was essential to preserve the hard‑won gains of the peace process and to help ensure successful and peaceful elections later this year, despite the increasingly difficult operational and financial environment.
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“We commend MINUSCA’s vital role in protecting civilians, assisting the political process, and extending state authority under increasingly difficult financial and operational conditions,” he concluded, calling on the international community to remain engaged with and supportive of CAR’s transition toward durable peace.
