Central African Republic: Annan proposes extending UN peace-building mission

United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has recommended extending the mandate of the Organization's peace-building mission in the Central African Republic through December 2002 to allow the operation to continue its economic and security efforts there following the attempted coup d'état last May.

In a report to the Security Council issued today at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Annan outlines how the UN could help foster economic recovery in the country and boost the assistance provided by the UN Peace-building Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA), particularly in the areas of institution-building, enhancing early warning capabilities and promoting respect for human rights. The recommendations were made in response to a request by the Council last July.

According to the report, the situation in the Central African Republic since the 28 May coup attempt has been marked by sharp political tensions, further economic decline and a lack of security. One of the consequences of the failed coup, for which the leader of the main opposition party claimed responsibility, is that political dialogue no longer seems to be on the agenda. The repercussions of the fighting in the capital, Bangui, have been disastrous for the economy, which, since mid-August, has suffered from the World Bank's suspension of disbursements for non-payment of amounts due, the Secretary-General writes. As a result of these financial difficulties, the country is unable to pay the salaries of its public servants on a regular basis.

In the area of security, the report says the flight to the Democratic Republic of the Congo of the chief instigators of the coup attempt and a large number of soldiers poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the country. "This fear is all the more justified as these rebel forces will not hesitate to manipulate the civilian populations which, out of fear, have taken refuge on the other side of the border," Mr. Annan writes.

The Secretary-General urges the international community to help bring peace to the country by assisting the Government with its efforts to collect weapons, restructure its defence forces, redeploy to the interior of the country, train new military contingents and police officers, and boost the media, whose lack of resources "hampers their vital role in a democratic system."

To strengthen the UN peace-building operation, Mr. Annan recommends that the mission focus its activities on promoting political dialogue between Government authorities and civil society, providing technical assistance to the Government in the areas of security and restructuring the defence forces, promoting disarmament, addressing the human rights situation and mobilizing resources to help with the economic recovery.