Chances of success high in Central African Republic if investments made in peace – UN Deputy Secretary-General

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson today said that the Central African Republic (CAR) can focus on stabilization, reconciliation and reconstruction now that the country has emerged from one of the worst crises of its history and was trying to establish legitimate institutions.

"A significant investment has been made by the international community to come to this point: for the United Nations, our support in providing humanitarian assistance, our efforts on reconciliation, recovery, development and of course the presence of MINUSCA [the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic] illustrate our determination to help the country," said Mr. Eliasson.

Mr. Eliasson was speaking to UN Member States and key partners at UN Headquarters in New York ahead of the Donors Conference on the Central African Republic taking place on 17 November in the Belgian capital, Brussels.

Yet, in the midst of so many other crises, our chances of success in the Central African Republic remain high, if we invest in peace and work together to address, in a comprehensive manner, the causes as well as the consequences of the conflict in this country

According to the United Nations, CAR is at a critical juncture with a fragile security situation, as illustrated by renewed clashes between armed groups over the last few weeks. Peacekeepers serving with MINUSCA have been assisting local authorities to protect civilians and the mission is working closely with the government to support reconciliation and stabilization efforts in the country.

In May this year, the CAR government requested support from the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Bank Group to prepare a recovery and peacebuilding assessment. The assessment resulted in a 'National Plan for Recovery' and identified three main areas of priorities for the first five years of the country's post-election period, including support to the government in identifying recovery and peacebuilding needs and their costs, identifying specific operational, institutional, and financial arrangements to facilitate the implementation of these priorities and the creation of platform to monitor implementation.

These priorities will be presented during the gathering in Brussels, which will be co-chaired by the European Union and the CAR government. This plan is estimated to cost $3 billion and the conference will serve to raise funds.

"I am confident that, the Central African authorities will demonstrate... their sustained commitments to undertaking the right actions and reforms in order to re-establish long-term security and justice for all Centrafricans, within the framework of inclusive governance and the respect of the rule of law,” the Deputy Secretary-General said. “For the country to accomplish all its efforts, finally, continued and coherent support of the international community is required.”

"Yet,” he added, “in the midst of so many other crises, our chances of success in the Central African Republic remain high, if we invest in peace and work together to address, in a comprehensive manner, the causes as well as the consequences of the conflict in this country.”