SC/8231
29 October 2004
Security Council, Commending Central African Republic for Success of “Transition Process”, Looks to further Progress
Presidential Statement Encourages Efforts for Satisfactory Outcome in Pending Constitutional Referendum, Legislative Elections
NEW YORK, 28 October (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council, in a presidential statement, today encouraged the authorities and the people of the Central African Republic to continue their efforts to ensure the success of the November constitutional referendum and the satisfactory organization of free, transparent and democratic presidential and legislative elections in January.
In the statement, read out by Council President for the month Emyr Jones Parry (United Kingdom), the Council -- commending the Central African authorities, political parties and civil society for the ongoing success of the transition process -- welcomed the spirit of consensus shown by the Central African parties.
Pleased that the Secretary-General intends to renew the mandate of the United Nations Peace-Building Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA) until 31 December 2005, the Council paid tribute to the work of the United Nations system in the Central African Republic, in particular the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for his work at the head of BONUCA, General Lamine Cissé.
The Council also welcomed the international community’s assistance to the stabilization and recovery of the Central African Republic, as well as the efforts of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) member States in the political, economic and security fields.
The Council called upon international donors and the international financial institutions to continue to provide resolute support to the Central African Republic, including on the preparation of the upcoming legislative and presidential elections. Emphasizing that their support will be essential for the country’s economic and social recovery, it also encouraged them to formulate, in close consultation with relevant development agencies and the Government, a concerted development strategy for the country.
Expressing concern at the deterioration of the State’s finances and of the public sector, the Council called on the Central African authorities to act with determination in order to address the situation. Reiterating its full support for the CEMAC multinational force, the Council called for the continued restructuring of the Central African Republic’s defence and security forces. It also encouraged Central African authorities to continue to combat human rights violations.
The meeting began at 3:06 p.m. and adjourned at 3:11 p.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of document S/PRST/2004/39 reads, as follows:
“The Security Council commends the Central African authorities, the political parties and civil society of the Central African Republic for the efforts they have made for the ongoing success of the transition process. The Security Council welcomes in particular the spirit of consensus which the Central African parties have shown and which attests to their determination to continue the transition process to the end.
“The Security Council encourages the Central Africans to continue their efforts to ensure the success of the constitutional referendum in November and the satisfactory organization of free, transparent and democratic presidential and legislative elections in January 2005.
“The Security Council also pays tribute to the United Nations system in the Central African Republic and in particular to the Secretary-General’s Representative, General Lamine Cissé, for his work at the head of the United Nations Peace-building Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA) and reaffirms to him its full support. The Security Council is pleased that the Secretary-General intends to renew the BONUCA mandate until 31 December 2005.
“The Security Council welcomes 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 member States of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) in the political, economic and security fields.
“The Security Council calls upon international donors and the international financial institutions to continue to provide resolute support to the Central African Republic, including on the preparation of the upcoming legislative and presidential elections. It also emphasizes that their support will be essential for the country’s economic and social recovery and encourages them to formulate in close consultation with relevant development agencies and with the Government of the Central African Republic a concerted development strategy for the country.
“However, the Security Council expresses its concern at the deterioration of the State’s finances and of the public sector, and calls on the Central African authorities to act with determination in order to address this situation.
“The Security Council reiterates its full support for the CEMAC multinational force and calls for the continuation of the restructuring of the Central African Republic’s defence and security forces.
“The Security Council also encourages the Central African authorities to continue to combat with determination human rights violations.
“The Security Council again expresses its concern at the possible consequences to the Central African Republic of the crises in the subregion. Accordingly, it welcomes with satisfaction the Secretary-General’s initiative in asking BONUCA to assess the implications of developments in neighbouring countries on the situation in CAR and vice versa.”
* *** *
