Central African Republic: UN body urges creation of environment conducive for elections

The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission has called on all stakeholders in Central African Republic (CAR) to help promote an environment conducive to holding elections ahead of the country’s upcoming parliamentary vote.

A statement issued today by the Commission’s CAR Configuration said it had taken note of the “commendable progress” to date in the processes of preparation for the elections and welcomed the “determination and commitment” of the international and national stakeholders in implementing the concluding documents of the Bangui Forum.

The country’s parliamentary elections are slated for next month and have sparked hope among many in the international community that they may bring an end to hostilities.

More than two years of civil war and sectarian violence have displaced thousands of people in CAR amid ongoing clashes between the mainly Muslim Séléka alliance and anti-Balaka militia, which are mostly Christian. The UN estimates that some 450,000 people remain displaced inside the country while thousands of others have sought asylum across the borders.

Nevertheless, the CAR Configuration “acknowledged with concern” the existing financial gap of $21 million toward the electoral budget which it said could jeopardize the “vital step” of disarmament and demobilization as well as the establishment of a Special Criminal Court.

It called on international partners to “redouble efforts – in a spirit of solidarity and generosity – to support key processes, including the elections, aimed at ensuring the consolidation of security, democracy and social cohesion,” said the statement, which follows the informal meeting of the Configuration held on 8 June.