Security Council hails deployment of multinational force to Central African Republic

The United Nations Security Council today voiced its support for the decision to deploy an International Observation Force (IFO) to the Central African Republic (CAR) to promote calm, particularly on the country’s border with Chad.

In a statement read out at a formal meeting, the Council President, Ambassador Martin Belinga-Eboutou of Cameroon, called on all States participating in the IFO to work closely with the UN Peace-Building office in the CAR (BONUCA) and with the Secretary-General’s Representative to the country, Lamine Cisse, “whose efforts have been essential to this initiative.” All countries were urged to provide financial, logistical and material support to the States participating in the Force.

Set to be comprised of 300 to 350 troops, the IFO will draw forces from Gabon, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Mali. Its three main tasks are ensuring the safety of the CAR’s President, ensuring security on the border between the CAR and Chad, and participating in the restructuring of the country’s armed forces.

The Council’s statement welcomed the efforts by the CAR and Chad to relaunch cooperation and strongly supported the intention by the President of Chad to visit the CAR capital, Bangui, in the “very near” future. The Council “encourages further confidence-building measures to help normalize the relations between the two countries,” Ambassador Belinga-Eboutou said.