Thank you, Chair, and thanks to the briefers, including excellent presentation via VTC
I want to pay tribute to your excellent work, Chair. You ensure the PBC fills its advisory role to the Security Council. Norway commends the government of President Touadéra for signing the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation (APPR) with 14 armed groups in February 2019
We encourage full implementation of the peace agreement and condemn the violations by some armed groups who have signed the peace agreement.
We think that MINUSCA has an important role in supporting the Agreement, including by firm responses, and this could be reflected in the new mandate.
We believe that for MINUSCA to get more popular support from the Central African population, MINUSCA hopefully can respond faster to prevent attacks and violations on the civilian population from the armed groups, especially in the periphery of this vast country. For this to be realistic, MINUSCA needs better mobility and probably better/ new equipment
Norway hopes that support to the upcoming elections in 2020 and 2021 is included in the new mandate of MINUSCA. That might be decisive in order to hold presidential, regional and local elections in the Central African Republic on schedule. We encourage a robust mandate for the Mission, maintaining the troop ceiling.
To achieve durable peace and sustainable development in the Central African Republic the country needs strong political leadership. Norway remains committed to contribute towards the efforts by the international community in providing the support and cooperation this requires.
We wish all the best for the Central African Republic and its population.
Thank you, Chair for your relentless work for the Central African Republic configuration.