SC/8457
25 July 2005
Security Council Gratified by Successful Presidential, Legislative Elections in Central African Republic
Presidential Statement Says Stability of New Institutions Necessary to Ensure Lasting Peace
NEW YORK, 22 July (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council today welcomed the establishment of the newly elected institutions in the Central African Republic, noting that the stability of those institutions was necessary for ensuring lasting peace in that country.
In a statement read out by Council President Adamantios Th. Vassilakis (Greece), the Council, deeply gratified by the successful holding of presidential and legislative elections, which took place in two rounds on 13 March and 8 May 2005, invited the Government of the Central African Republic and all political and social forces to consolidate national dialogue and ensure national reconciliation with a view to achieving sustainable development in their country.
It acknowledged efforts by the Central African defence and security forces to guarantee satisfactory safety conditions during the electoral process, and commended the Multinational Force of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (FOMUC), France, the European Union, China and Germany for providing decisive support to them.
Expressing appreciation for the vital role played in the process by FOMUC, the Council expressed its support for that body’s continuing efforts to back the consolidation of the constitutional order, which has been re-established, and the rebuilding of the rule of law. In that regard, it welcomed the decision of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community to extend FOMUC’s mandate.
The Council requested the Secretary-General to explore the possibility of setting up a follow-up committee or enlarging the Committee of Foreign Partners to Follow Up on the Electoral Process to support the reconstruction efforts initiated by the Central Africans. It also called on international donors and financial institutions to generously assist the country, emphasizing that their support will be essential for its socio-economic recovery.
The Council also expressed concern at the insecurity reigning in the north and west of the country, due to the presence of armed groups in those regions, and expressed deep concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation, particularly in the north of the country.
The meeting began at 1:35 p.m. and adjourned at 1:42 p.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of the statement, to be issued as S/PRST/2005/35, reads as follows:
“The Security Council heard a briefing by the Representative of the Secretary-General, General Lamine Cissé, on the situation in the Central African Republic and the activities of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA). It reiterated its full support for the action of the Representative of the Secretary-General.
“The Security Council is deeply gratified by the successful holding of the presidential and legislative elections and welcomes the establishment of the newly elected institutions, whose stability is necessary to ensure lasting peace in the Central African Republic.
“The Security Council acknowledges the efforts by the Central African defence and security forces to guarantee satisfactory security conditions during the electoral process, and commends the Multinational Force of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (FOMUC), France, the European Union, China and Germany for providing decisive support to them.
“The Security Council appreciates the vital role played in the process by FOMUC to date, and expresses its support for continuing efforts by FOMUC to back the consolidation of the constitutional order, which has thus been re-established, and the rebuilding of the rule of law. In this regard, it welcomes the decision of the States of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community to extend the mandate of FOMUC.
“The Security Council invites the Government of the Central African Republic, and all the political and social forces, to consolidate the national dialogue and to ensure national reconciliation with a view to achieving sustainable development in their country.
“The Security Council calls upon international donors and the international financial institutions to continue to assist the Central African Republic generously. It emphasizes that their support will be indispensable for the country’s economic and social recovery and encourages them to formulate, in close consultation with the United Nations system and the Government of the Central African Republic, a concerted development strategy.
“The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to explore, in close consultation with the authorities of the Central African Republic and the country’s development partners, the possibility of setting up a follow-up committee or enlarging the Committee of Foreign Partners to Follow Up on the Electoral Process, in order to support the reconstruction efforts initiated by the Central Africans. It invites the Secretary-General to report to it on his consultations through his Representative in the Central African Republic, no later than 31 October 2005.
“The Security Council expresses its concern at the insecurity reigning in the north and the west of the country owing to the presence of armed groups in these regions and invites relevant States to consult with subregional and regional organizations and with the United Nations Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA) on the action required to respond collectively to the threat posed by these armed groups to the stability of the Central African Republic and certain countries of the subregion.
“The Security Council expresses also its deep concern at the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic, in particular in the north of the country. It calls upon the international community to contribute generously to the humanitarian needs of the Central African Republic.”
Background
When the Security Council met today it had before it the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Central African Republic and the activities of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic (document S/2005/414). The main event during the period from 1 January to 30 June was the electoral process, which ended with the holding of the first and second rounds of presidential and legislative elections on 13 March and 8 May, respectively. The elections took place in an atmosphere of calm, apart from some organizational problems and cases of attempted or actual electoral fraud.
During the period under review, the report states, the security situation was a matter of concern, particularly in Bangui and in the northern areas of the country. Some parts of the country experienced renewed attacks by armed gangs. The authorities are extremely concerned that those gangs may be used for the political destabilization of the new regime and its defence and security forces, which seemed to lack the staff and resources to deal with such a risk. Despite these threats, the restructuring of the armed forces has continued.
The year 2005 may be considered as a turning point in the growth of economic activities in the country, states the report. Starting this year, growth was expected to resume in most economic sectors, mainly because of the hopes kindled, first, by the recent return to constitutional order and, second, by the expected resumption of cooperation between the country and its major donor partners. At the same time, economic activity had remained fragile on the whole.
The report states that serious human rights violations occurred during the first half of 2005, both in Bangui and in the hinterland, undermining people’s right to life, freedom of movement and personal safety. Also, during the electoral campaign, harassment, threats, intimidation and cases of abuse of authority by law enforcement agencies were also noted.
The Secretary-General encourages the new authorities to do everything possible to ensure respect for human rights. It is important for the restoration of trust and reconciliation among the Central Africans that the violators should be brought to justice. After so many years of suffering, instability and destruction of all kinds, however, the new authorities will not be able to deal effectively with the country’s precarious social and economic situation unless they receive significant support from the partners, on the understanding that during their five-year term of office they will have to concentrate their efforts on reconstruction activities in all areas of national life.
The support of the international community for the action of the Central African authorities is essential for the consolidation of the democratic achievements of recent weeks, the Secretary-General continues. He appeals to the good will and generosity of the partners of the Central African Republic, which should provide considerable and immediate financial support to the economic reconstruction effort now under way. Such assistance is particularly necessary because the Central African Republic remains one of the most critical parts of a subregion where peace is still fragile and volatile.
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