United Nations Security Council Resolution 2745 – Peace and security in Africa

Resolution 2745 (2024)

The Security Council,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the CAR, and recalling the importance of the principles of non-interference, good-neighbourliness and regional cooperation,

Highlighting its decision in this resolution to fully lift the arms embargo on the CAR established under resolution 2127 (2013) as amended, and emphasising, for the avoidance of doubt, that there is no more arms embargo on the Government of the CAR,

Expressing particular concern about reports of illicit transnational trafficking networks which continue to fund and supply armed groups and associated individuals operating in the CAR, noting in particular the use of explosive ordnances, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and landmines, which account for civilian casualties as well as the destruction of civilian properties and continue to disrupt humanitarian access, and strongly condemning human rights abuses and violations, as well as violations of international humanitarian law,

Condemning cross-border criminal activities, such as arms trafficking, illicit trade, illegal exploitation, and trafficking of natural resources, including gold, diamonds, timber, and wildlife, as well as the illicit transfer, destabilising accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons, that threaten the peace and stability of the CAR and impact on the security of the region, also condemning the use of mercenaries and violations of international humanitarian law and human rights violations and abuses perpetrated by them, and emphasising that active and close collaboration between the CAR and neighbouring countries is essential to secure its borders and other entry points to prevent the cross-border flows of armed combatants, arms and conflict minerals,

Expressing concern about the impact of the crisis in Sudan on the humanitarian, food security and security situation in neighbouring countries in general and in the CAR in particular, causing a significant influx of returnees and refugees within the CAR, intensifying humanitarian needs, and increasing the movement of arms and combatants in border areas, and emphasising the obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular the rapid, safe and unhindered passage for humanitarian relief to the population in need,

Taking note of the launch of the 10-year action plan and the border management policy and activities by CAR’s National Border Management Commission,

Stressing that the measures imposed by this resolution are not intended to have adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population, recalling resolution 2664 (2022), and emphasising that any sustainable solution should prioritise reconciliation, including through an inclusive process that involves men and women of all social, economic, political, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including those displaced by the crisis,

Recalling the need for States to ensure that all measures taken by them to implement this resolution comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international refugee law, as applicable,

Recognising the need to safeguard due process, and to ensure fair and clear procedures for delisting individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) and subsequent resolutions, and welcoming the adoption of resolution 2744 (2024) enhancing the mandate and procedure of the Focal Point for Delisting,

Taking note of the Secretary-General’s letter dated 15 May 2024 addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2024/391) consistent with paragraph 14 of resolution 2693 (2023) and of the CAR authorities’ report addressed on 15 May 2024 to the Sanctions Committee pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) (“the Committee”) consistent with paragraph 13 of resolution 2693 (2023),

Further taking note of the final report (S/2024/444) of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) (“the Panel of Experts”), and taking note also of the Panel of Experts’ recommendations,

Determining that armed groups operating in the CAR constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

1. Decides to lift the arms embargo on the CAR established under resolution 2127 (2013) as amended and extended by resolution 2693 (2023);

2. Decides that, until 31 July 2025, all Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer, from their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned to armed groups and associated individuals operating in the CAR, including prohibiting technical assistance, training, financial or other assistance, related to military activities or the provision, maintenance or use of any arms and related materiel;

3. Decides to authorise all Member States to, and that all Member States shall, upon discovery of items prohibited by paragraph 2 of this resolution, seize, register and dispose (such as through destruction, rendering inoperable, storage or transferring to a State other than the originating or destination States for disposal) items the supply, sale, transfer or export of which is prohibited by paragraph 2 of this resolution, decides that the Member State who seizes and disposes (such as through destruction, rendering inoperable, storage or transferring to a State other than the originating or destination States for disposal) of such items shall notify the Committee of such disposal within 30 days providing details of all items disposed of and the precise manner in which they were disposed of, and decides further that all Member States shall cooperate in such efforts;

4. Decides to renew until 31 July 2025 the measures and provisions as set out in paragraphs 9, 14, and 16 to 19 of resolution 2399 (2018) and extended by paragraph 4 of resolution 2536 (2020) and recalls paragraphs 10 to 13 and 15 of resolution 2399 (2018);

5. Reaffirms that the measures described in paragraphs 9 and 16 of resolution 2399 (2018) shall apply to individuals and entities as designated by the Committee, as set forth in paragraphs 20 to 22 of resolution 2399 (2018), extended by paragraph 5 of resolution 2693 (2023) and taking into account the decision imposed by the present resolution in OP1 to lift the arms embargo established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) and the decision taken in OP2 regarding armed groups and associated individuals operating in the CAR, including for involvement in planning, directing, sponsoring or committing acts in the CAR that undermine efforts for a return to peace and violate international humanitarian law, which include attacks against medical personnel or humanitarian personnel, as well as acts involving sexual and gender-based violence, and recalls paragraph 1 of resolution 2664 (2022);

6. Decides to extend until 31 August 2025 the mandate of the Panel of Experts, to henceforth be known as the Panel of Experts pursuant to resolution 2745 (2024), as set out in paragraphs 30 to 39 of resolution 2399 (2018) and extended by paragraph 6 of resolution 2693 (2023), expresses its intention to review the mandate to pay particular attention to analysing the transnational supply networks of armed groups in the CAR and take appropriate action regarding its further extension no later than 31 July 2025, and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary administrative measures as expeditiously as possible to allow the Panel of Experts to pursue its work without interruptions, in consultation with the Committee, drawing, as appropriate, on the expertise of the current members of the Panel of Experts;

7. Requests the Panel of Experts to provide to the Council, after discussion with the Committee, a midterm report no later than 31 January 2025, a final report no later than 15 June 2025, and progress updates, as appropriate;

8. Strongly condemns attacks and human rights abuses committed by armed groups, and requests the Panel, in the course of carrying out its mandate, to propose or update further statements of cases for possible designation pursuant to paragraphs 20 to 21 of resolution 2399 (2018) taking into account the decision imposed by the present resolution in OP1 to lift the arms embargo established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) and the decision taken in OP2 regarding armed groups and associated individuals operating in the CAR;

9. Requests the Panel, in the course of carrying out its mandate, to devote special attention to the analysis of illicit transnational trafficking networks which continue to fund and supply armed groups in the CAR and threats relating to explosive ordnances, in cooperation with experts from the subregional communities (ICGLR and ECCAS), UNOCA, UNMAS, as well as with other Panels or Groups of Experts established by the Security Council as appropriate;

10. Urges all parties, and all Member States, as well as international, regional and subregional organisations to ensure cooperation with the Panel of Experts and the safety of its members;

11. Further urges all Member States and all relevant United Nations bodies to ensure unhindered access, in particular to persons, documents and sites in order for the Panel of Experts to execute its mandate and recalls the value of information -sharing between MINUSCA and the Panel of Experts;

12. Reaffirms the Committee provisions and the reporting and review provisions as set out in resolution 2399 (2018), and decides that it shall henceforth be known as the Committee pursuant to resolution 2745 (2024);

13. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Adopted by the Security Council at its 9695th meeting, on 30 July 2024.