This meeting was mainly marked by the presentation of the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the situation in the Central African Republic, by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSCA, Valentine Rugwabiza.
In his report, Hilale stressed that the Central African Republic is now at a decisive moment and a crucial turning point in its journey towards lasting peace and stability.
In this regard, he mentioned the paradigm shift introduced under the leadership of President Faustin Archange Touadera aimed at getting the country out of a situation of protracted crisis and dependence on humanitarian assistance, towards recovery and sustainable development, in order to enable the CAR to fully exploit its potential and rich resources.
The President of the CAR Configuration also welcomed the adoption last September of a new National Development Plan which aims not only to meet the immediate needs of the Central African population, but is also part of a long-term vision of peace, reconciliation and prosperity for all Central Africans.
Hilale noted that the Configuration, as an unwavering partner of the CAR, remains committed to supporting the implementation of this strategic framework, which is not limited to economic growth, but which embraces a vision of peace, reconciliation and prosperity for all Central Africans.
This vision is manifested, according to Hilale, through the promotion of inclusive dialogue and reconciliation by involving all stakeholders, including armed groups, government authorities, civil society and local communities, as well as strengthening the capacities of institutions to meet current challenges, particularly in terms of development. Among the constituent elements of this vision are also the guarantee of access to justice and the strengthening of the rule of law, inclusive economic development and citizen participation.
Referring to the 2025 local elections, the President of the CAR Configuration indicated that these elections will not only be a political event, but a catalyst for the effective implementation of the National Development Plan and will pave the way for more inclusive, transparent and responsive governance, essential to building a future of peace and prosperity for the Central African Republic.
This election will play a crucial role in strengthening local democracy, by electing representatives who reflect the aspirations and needs of communities and will promote citizen participation in the decision-making process, Hilale said.
They will also, he added, allow to promote accountability and transparency, by encouraging local elected officials to be accountable to their voters, as well as to be transparent in the management of resources and development projects, thus improving trust between citizens and their institutions. These elections will also allow the alignment of projects with local needs, by making it possible to identify and prioritize the specific needs of communities, in addition to the creation of partnerships, by facilitating the creation of partnerships between local authorities, NGOs, and private actors.
Omar Hilale deemed it essential that these local elections be held on time to ensure that the electoral cycle that began in 2020 is completed, before the start of the next one scheduled for December 2025.
In this context, he stressed that the CAR configuration of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission will continue to play an essential complementary role in supporting the organization of these elections, as well as the implementation of the National Development Plan.
Thus, the Configuration will continue its advocacy with bilateral, international and regional partners to facilitate the mobilization of financial and technical resources needed to support these development and peace efforts and will continue to serve as a coordination platform between the various national and international actors, ensuring that efforts are aligned and effective in support of the CAR’s peacebuilding priorities.
The President of the RCA Configuration indicated that a reflection is underway to devise an Action Plan, based on the country’s priorities, which takes into account the comparative advantages and capacities of the different actors, in order to breathe new life into our partnerships and best support peace and development efforts in the Central African Republic.
The Configuration is also committed to continuing to closely monitor the progress made in the Central African Republic, in order to adjust strategies according to the evolution of the situation and the results obtained.
Hilale also recalled that MINUSCA remains a key partner for peacebuilding efforts in the Central African Republic, noting that this Mission is not only a peacekeeping force, but also an essential partner in the stabilization and development process.
He finally indicated that the Central African Republic is looking to its future with determination and commitment, calling for seizing this encouraging momentum in order to definitively place the country on the path to recovery.
The members of the Security Council unanimously paid tribute to the notable contribution of Omar Hilale as Chairman of the CAR Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, illustrating the added value of the Peacebuilding Commission’s engagement with the Security Council.
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