Annan Calls For Extension Of UN Mission

Annan Calls For Extension Of UN Mission In The Central African Republic, Cites Insecurity

New York, Oct 23 2006 7:00PM

Painting a grim picture of the security and human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) and warning that it threatens regional stability, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called for the mandate of the UN mission in the country to be extended for another year until the end of 2007.

“Despite the efforts made so far, the general situation in the Central African Republic is still volatile, as a result of both endogenous and exogenous factors… the persistent lack of security, in particular on the borders with Chad and the Sudan, represents a direct threat to stability in the Central African Republic and its neighbours, Mr. Annan writes in an interim report covering the past three months.

“The Central African Government has requested the renewal of the mandate of BONUCA (the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in the CAR) for another year,” he says, adding there are “priority areas” for which UN commitment “remains essential to the consolidation of peace in this country.” The mandate of BONUCA, which was set up in 2000 currently runs until 31 December 2006.

Mr. Annan says he is encouraged by discussions between international financial institutions and the State aimed at cooperation and also highlights a Government request to donors for more international support to the army so it can restore security throughout the territory.

He also calls for Central Africans to give “priority to consensus building and dialogue” to smooth out their differences, while warning that the constitutional order re-established in 2005 has been threatened for some time by the “deterioration of the political, socio-economic and financial, humanitarian and security situation.”

“The human rights situation, which is closely linked to the political and security context, has been marked by a strong resurgence of acts of violence by roadblockers, unidentified armed gangs and regular soldiers, particularly in the northern parts of the country.”

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