Ban urges Central African parties to abide by agreements forged to end crisis

Welcoming the signing of a ceasefire and other agreements that halted a rebel advance on the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for all parties in the country to fulfil their commitments, with international assistance.

“The Secretary-General welcomes the agreements signed in Libreville on 11 January 2013: the declaration of principle, the ceasefire agreement and the political agreement on the resolution of the crisis in the Central African Republic,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement on the accords reached in the capital city of Gabon.

“He urges the Government of CAR, politico-military groups, the Séléka coalition and opposition parties to fully implement these agreements,” the spokesperson added.

The CAR has a history of political instability and recurring armed conflict, with weak State authority, ethnic tensions and armed groups embedded in parts of the country.

In December, following attacks on several towns in the country’s north-east, an alliance of rebel groups – known, collectively, as ‘Séléka’ – had been advancing on the capital, Bangui, but agreed to start peace talks under the auspices of the regional group known as the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

Part of the political agreement for the resolution of the crisis defined power-sharing arrangements and a period of political transition for the CAR.

Through today’s statement, the Secretary-General reiterated the readiness of the United Nations, through the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in CAR (BINUCA) and other mechanisms, to support the full implementation of the accords and other peacebuilding efforts.

Mr. Ban also commended ECCAS and regional leaders for their prompt mobilization in response to the CAR crisis and requested further international assistance.

“He calls on the country’s partners to enhance their support to ongoing efforts to bring stability and lasting peace to the country,” his spokesman said.