United Nations

SC/8142
                                                                                                                        AFR/992
                                                                                                                        8 July 2004

Press Statement on Central African Republic by Security Council President

NEW YORK, 7 July (UN Headquarters) -- Following is the text of today’s statement to the press on the Central African Republic by Security Council President Minhea Ioan Motoc (Romania):

Members of the Security Council heard a briefing by Representative of the Secretary-General Lamine Cissé on the situation in the Central African Republic and the activities of the United Nations Peace-Building Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA). They reiterated their full support for General Cissé’s work.

Members of the Security Council noted with satisfaction the positive evolution of the political situation in the Central African Republic and the progress made in the economic and financial fields. They welcomed the various steps taken in the political field, in particular the establishment of the mixed and independent electoral commission (CEMI) that represent an important step towards the restoration of constitutional legality. 

Members of the Security Council encouraged the Central African authorities, who carry primary responsibility for the success of the transition, to maintain their efforts to organize as a top priority free, transparent and democratic presidential and legislative elections at the beginning of 2005, according to the timetable they have set.  Members of the Security Council also invited them to facilitate a greater involvement of Central African women in the electoral transition process which is under way.  Finally, they encouraged them to ensure good governance.

Members of the Security Council welcomed the assistance provided by the international community to the stabilization and recovery of the Central African Republic as well as the considerable efforts made by the members of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) in the security, political and economical fields.  They called once again on the international community to provide as soon as possible to the Central African Republic the necessary assistance in order to ensure the success of the transitional process.

Members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to the international force of the CEMAC and called for the continuation of the process of restructuring the Central African Republic’s defence and security forces. They also urged the Central African Republic’s authorities to do everything possible to fight against human rights violations. 

Members of the Security Council expressed their concern regarding the possible consequences to the Central African Republic of the crisis in the subregion, in particular the crisis in Darfur.  They called, therefore, on the international community to increase support for the emergency plan which the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is drawing up in this respect.

Members of the Security Council requested the Secretary-General to report again on the situation in Central African Republic, through his Representative, no later than the end of October 2004.

* *** *