Annan proposes extending UN office in Central African Republic to help solidify peace

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has proposed extending the mandate of the United Nations Peace-building Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA) for an additional year in order to help the country solidify peace and promote national reconciliation.

In an exchange of letters with the President of the Security Council, the Secretary-General says he is making the proposal after consulting with authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR), who requested the renewal of BONUCA's mandate.

Mr. Annan says the move to keep BONUCA in the country until 31 December 2003 would also enable the Office to continue to support the CAR in its ongoing efforts to "strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, and lay solid foundations for sustainable peace and socio-economic progress in the face of daunting domestic challenges and a volatile subregional environment."