UN fact-finding team heads to Chad after winding up visit to Central African Republic

A United Nations delegation has completed the first leg of a fact-finding mission to the troubled border region shared by the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad and Sudan, the UN announced today.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York that the delegation – which comprises political, military, police, humanitarian and civilian experts – wrapped up its work in the CAR and is now preparing to head to Chad.

The team is tasked with submitting a report to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who will then present the results to the Security Council.

Concern is mounting at the political and humanitarian situation engulfing the border area of three African countries, with Mr. Annan issuing a statement earlier this month voicing fears that the recent upsurge in violence and displacement could destabilize the whole region.

Last week the Security Council extended the mandate of the UN political mission in the CAR, known by its French acronym BONUCA, until the end of next year as it expressed deep concern about the security situation.

Chad is host to about 46,000 refugees from the CAR, as well as at least 200,000 others from the war-torn Sudanese region of Darfur. Another 90,000 people are internally displaced within the east of the country.