The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of the new Government in the Central African Republic (CAR). He congratulates the Head of State of the Transition, Ms. Catherine Samba Panza and the Prime Minister, Mr. André Nzapayeké, for their efforts to put the transition back on track. The establishment of a new government offers a fresh opportunity to move the political process forward. The Secretary-General reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to support the transitional authorities in their efforts to ensure the security and the welfare of the people of the CAR.

The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the ongoing sectarian violence in the country and the humanitarian crisis that affects more than half of the population. He calls for determined national and international efforts to stop the violence and overcome the crisis.

The Secretary-General reiterates the importance of ensuring the success of the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA), which is playing a critical role in providing security on the ground. He appeals once again to all those in a position to do so to provide financial and in-kind assistance to MISCA and to announce their contributions at the MISCA donor conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 1 February.

The Secretary-General appreciates the timely adoption today of a new Security Council resolution on the CAR which reinforces the mandate of the UN peacebuilding mission in the country, BINUCA, provides for sanctions on individuals involved in violations of human rights and of the arms embargo, and authorizes the European Union’s troop deployment to the country. The Council’s sustained engagement will be crucial to the efforts of the United Nations to restore peace and stability in the country.

New York, 28 January 2014